The atmosphere on the grid was electric with very passionate fans at the Red Bull Ring making themselves heard and as the lights went out it was pole sitter Lynn who made a good getaway to hold position. Behind him however, there was a first corner incident involving Alex Fontana (ART Grand Prix) and the Marussia Manor Racing pair of Dean Stoneman and Patrick Kujala. The Finn was able to continue as the trio made light contact but it was a premature end to the race for Fontana and Stoneman. Arden International’s Robert Visoiu also retired on the opening lap.

Hilmer Motorsport rookie Riccardo Agostini who had a produced a promising qualifying and was running in the top ten retired at the midway point of the race. Marvin Kirchhöfer had his claws into Stanaway but the Kiwi resisted his moves to hold onto fourth, a few seconds behind Eriksson. Nick Yelloly also had his mirrors full with Luis Sa Silva with the Brit getting the better of his former teammate.

After 18 laps the chequered flag was waved and it was Lynn and Bernstorff first across the line much to the joy of their British squad. Eriksson, Stanaway, Kirchhöfer, Mathéo Tuscher (Jenzer Motorsport) and Yelloly completed the top seven. Sa Silva scored his first GP3 point and will start from reverse pole in Race 2. Kujala finished ninth, ahead of Patric Niederhauser who defended with all his might from his Arden International teammate Jann Mardenborough in the closing laps.

Lynn increases his advantage in the Drivers’ Standings, the Brit is now on 62 points with Eriksson in second on 37. Stanaway (35), Kirchhöfer (26) and Mathéo Tuscher (24) complete the top five. After all three Carlin drivers have scored points in Race 1, they sit pretty at the top of the Teams’ Standings on 85, with Status Grand Prix (45), ART Grand Prix (44), Koiranen GP (37) and Marussia Manor Racing (35) rounding out the top five.

Catch Race 2 tomorrow morning at 09.25 local time when the fight for supremacy continues!