Arjun Maini wins his first GP3 race at Barcelona

• Published On: 17 May 2017
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Maini seized the lead from polesitter Raoul Hyman at the start.

Maini, who is currently development driver for Haas Formula 1, won an entertaining GP3 sprint race at Barcelona. He broke free after warding of advances from Trident's Dorian Boccolacci.

Maini seized the lead from Raoul Hyman, who started the race on poll, at the start and was challenged by Boccolacci at the first turn. But the Frenchman slid wide going around the outside of the corner and Maini grabbed first place.

Mercedes F1 junior driver George Russell finished fifth after coming off best in a scrap with Nirei Fukuzumi as they both tried to get past Hyman (who eventually finished seventh) in the closing stages. Santino Ferrucci came home eighth for DAMS, ahead of Kevin Joerg, and Julien Falchero rounded out the top ten. After being forced out of second place in race one when a sensor problem shutdown his engine, Jack Aitken had to start race two from 19th on the grid. But he fought his way up to 13th place to record his first finish of the season. Leonardo Pulcini ended up 17th after being shown the black-and-orange flag in the early laps - the Italian rookie had to pit and allow his Arden mechanics to change his front wing.

Fukuzumi now leads the championship standings on 29 points, four clear of Lorandi and eight in front of Maini.

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