F3: Dennis wins Algarve opener

Prema Powerteam's Jake Dennis led from pole to flag ahead of Lotus F1 junior Alexander Albon in the opening Formula 3 European Championship race at the Algarve circuit.

Teammate Nick Cassidy started alongside Dennis, but the Japanese F3 leader slipped down to the rear of the field at the start and handed his teammate breathing space at the front.

Dennis wasn't the only driver to benefit from Cassidy's error as Albon assumed second place after working his way up from fifth at the start. Albon's overtaking opportunities ended there, the Signature driver never manoeuvring into a position to challenge the race leader.

The same could be said for Felix Rosenqvist, who followed Albon into third after a similarly strong start catapulted him up the order at the expense of his teammate Lance Stroll. That's where they finished to ensure Prema had three of the top four finishers.

It was a processional race for championship contender Charles Leclerc, who followed Markus Pommer closely in sixth, never threatening the German ahead despite closing to within a second of him late on.

Behind them was the battle of the race, with Leclerc's title rival Antonio Giovinazzi and Santino Ferrucci starring after the American swept into the top-10 places. The pair swapped places regularly and at the halfway mark they side by side and wheel to wheel on the start/finish straight before Ferrucci dived ahead just before Turn 1.

Their lengthy battle had brought George Russell into contention, but Ferrucci managed to steal ahead of Giovinazzi before the Brit could threaten.

Ferrucci's impressive drive continued as he beat Mikkel Jensen to secure seventh while his previous rival Giovinazzi held off Russell for ninth.

Cassidy's poor start was followed by retirement after contact with a defensive Callum Ilott.

Originally on Autosport.com