F3: Bernstoff beats Ocon as Ghiotto stalls

Arden International driver Emil Bernstorff snatched victory away from Esteban Ocon on the penultimate lap of race one at Monza, to take his second GP3 Series win of the season.

Mercedes junior Ocon stormed into the lead when championship leader and polesitter Luca Ghiotto stalled on the grid. Ocon led the majority of the race, with Matt Parry close behind. Bernstorff however, who started fifth, was locked in a frenetic battle with Marvin Kirchhofer from the opening lap.

The pair made contact heading into the Roggia chicane when Kirchhofer clipped the curb on the inside, which shot him in the direction of Bernstorff. This forced them both to cut the chicane, where Kirchhofer went over one of the sausage curbs, sending him briefly airborne.

Bernstorff eventually made his move stick into the first chicane and set about catching the leaders. The Brit passed his teammate Kevin Ceccon on the outside of the Roggia chicane, before dispatching Parry a few laps later. This set up a thrilling fight for the lead and for third in the closing stages.

Bernstorff hassled Ocon for several laps before repeating his pass on Ceccon on the penultimate lap to take the lead, which he was able to retain. Koiranen GP's Parry tried his best to hold on to third but Ceccon went around the outside of Curva Grande to take the final spot on the podium.

Kirchhofer and Jimmy Eriksson finished fifth and sixth, while Matheo Tuscher and Alex Palou battled hard for seventh.

Palou couldn't find a way past and had to settle for eighth, and reverse grid pole.

Alex Fontana got the better of his teammate Seb Morris, who collided with Tuscher at the Roggia chicane, with a bold move at the first corner to finish ninth.

Ferrari protege Antonio Fuoco had a disappointing home race as contact with the barrier on the rundown to the Lesmos on the opening lap forced the Italian to retire.

Originally on Autosport.com