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Sochi GP3: Niederhauser wins race two as Stoneman keeps title open

Patric Niederhauser won a thrilling GP3 race at Sochi on Sunday morning, an event punctuated by two safety cars and a red flag, but which featured an amazing climax

From eighth on the grid after his , Stoneman surged through the pack but had been involved in the first-corner crash that led to the red flag, as Alex Fontana was pincered between the Koiranen GP cars of Stoneman and Jimmy Eriksson.

His front wheels damaged, Fontana hit the brakes and was collected from behind by Riccardo Agostini, the pair heading straight into the barriers and taking Pal Varhaug and Richie Stanaway with them.

Stanaway's gearbox and rear wheels were torn off in his enormous impact, and the race was suspended in the pitlane while the wrecked cars were recovered and the track cleaned.

Eriksson was later given a 10-second stop/go penalty for his part in the crash, ending his slim title hopes.

At the restart, Niederhauser led from Arden team-mate Jann Mardenborough and points leader Alex Lynn (Carlin). Stoneman restarted sixth but quickly passed Kevin Ceccon.

ART's Marvin Kirchhofer passed Lynn for third at Turn 4 on lap four, and then overtook Mardenborough for second through Turns 1 and 2 in aggressive style a couple of laps later.

Stoneman passed title rival Lynn with a smart move at Turn 6 on lap five, but found Mardenborough a tougher nut to crack.

At this point, Lynn would be crowned champion unless Stoneman could gain places.

Stoneman had to make progress, and a late safety car to retrieve the stranded Hilmer car of Nikolay Martsenko proved his saviour.

At the restart, in a two-lap dash to the finish, Stoneman passed Mardenborough for third at Turn 4, then benefited as Niederhauser and Kirchhofer battled for the win.

In a wild final lap, Kirchhofer briefly grabbed the lead at Turn 13, but locked up and ran wide. Stoneman passed him for second and almost grabbed the lead from Niederhauser at the following corner, but the Swiss just held on by 0.3 seconds at the finish line.

Stoneman's second place, coupled with Lynn's fifth, was enough to take the title to the Abu Dhabi finale, although Stoneman will need to score almost every point on offer. Lynn will take the title if Stoneman doesn't qualify on pole.

Kirchhofer finished third, ahead of Mardenborough, Lynn and Nick Yelloly, with the top six covered by just 1.8s.

RESULTS - 15 LAPS:

Pos Driver Team Gap
1 Patric Niederhauser Arden International 54m22.342s
2 Dean Stoneman Koiranen GP 0.368s
3 Marvin Kirchhofer ART Grand Prix 0.683s
4 Jann Mardenborough Arden International 1.144s
5 Alex Lynn Carlin 1.416s
6 Nick Yelloly Status Grand Prix 1.869s
7 Alfonso Celis Status Grand Prix 2.330s
8 Emil Bernstorff Carlin 3.003s
9 Patrick Kujala Trident 3.540s
10 Robert Visoiu Arden International 3.977s
11 Matheo Tuscher Jenzer Motorsport 4.681s
12 Santiago Urrutia Koiranen GP 6.103s
13 Dino Zamparelli ART Grand Prix 7.844s
14 Mitch Gilbert Trident 8.135s
15 Luis Jorge Sa Silva Carlin 8.555s
16 Jimmy Eriksson Koiranen GP 9.153s
- Nikolay Martsenko Hilmer Motorsport Retirement
- Kevin Ceccon Jenzer Motorsport Retirement
- Alex Fontana ART Grand Prix Retirement
- Richie Stanaway Status Grand Prix Retirement
- Nelson Mason Hilmer Motorsport Not started
- Riccardo Agostini Hilmer Motorsport Retirement
- Pal Varhaug Jenzer Motorsport Retirement

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS AFTER 16 OF 18 ROUNDS:

Pos Driver Points
1 Alex Lynn 185
2 Dean Stoneman 138
3 Marvin Kirchhofer 137
4 Jimmy Eriksson 127
5 Richie Stanaway 123
6 Emil Bernstorff 112
7 Nick Yelloly 108
8 Dino Zamparelli 101
9 Jann Mardenborough 77
10 Patric Niederhauser 56
11 Alex Fontana 35
12 Matheo Tuscher 29
13 Robert Visoiu 22
14 Patrick Kujala 22
15 Riccardo Agostini 18
16 Kevin Ceccon 14
17 Pal Varhaug 12
18 Roman de Beer 8
19 Luis Jorge Sa Silva 6
20 Luca Ghiotto 4
21 Alfonso Celis 2

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