GP3: Tunjo takes first win from P9 start

Oscar Tunjo charged to his first career GP3 victory from ninth on the grid at the Red Bull Ring.

The 19-year-old Colombian made a good start to run sixth at the restart after an early safety car, deployed after a first-lap accident at Turn 2. This was as a result of race-one star Antonio Fuoco braking too late while trying to repulse an attack from Luca Ghiotto and slid into Jann Mardenborough.

This briefly launched Fuoco into the air in a crash that also eliminated Sandy Stuvik, although Mardenborough was able to make it back to the pits and rejoin to finish 15th in his hobbled car.

When the race restarted on lap four, Tunjo took it easy early on so as to have the tire life to attack on the closing stages. He launched his charge to the front on lap 10 by passing pole position starter Ralph Boschung, who had lost the lead to Marvin Kirchhofer on lap five, for fifth.

Two laps later, Tunjo took fourth from Emil Bernstorff through the final double right-hander and a lap later he dispatched race one winner Luca Ghiotto for third.

On the following lap, reigning European Formula 3 champion Esteban Ocon, who had run second behind Kirchhofer after also passing Boschung, fell to Tunjo in a move that started at Turn 3 and was completed into Turn 5. That left only leader Kirchhoffer for Tunjo to deal with. Kirchhoffer defended into Turn 2 on the 15th of 18 laps, only for Tunjo to hang on around the outside and make the move stick thanks to getting the power down well at the exit.

Kirchhofer and Ocon completed the podium, with Ghiotto retaining his points lead with fourth place ahead of Bernstorff.

Matheo Tuscher finished sixth ahead of Status Grand Prix driver Seb Morris, who picked up his first points in GP3 after a strong drive from 19th on the grid.

Originally on Autosport.com