Hockenheim European F3: Giovinazzi beats Rosenqvist in wet race one

The Italian made a bold outside move on poleman Rosenqvist on the outside of the Spitzkehre hairpin on the opening lap, and was never headed thereafter.

Despite the soggy conditions it was a proper racing start, but the race went three times under caution, and eventually finished behind the safety car with Giovinazzi's Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen in front.

The regular interruptions potentially prevented a Rosenqvist attack on the lead, as Giovinazzi found he was struggling towards the end of the race, while the Swede's Prema Powerteam Dallara-Mercedes looked relatively strong.

Even so, Giovinazzi crucially held a speed advantage in Turn 2 throughout the race, meaning Rosenqvist could never get close enough in the circuit's prime overtaking spot.

"It was a really difficult situation, but we saw we had good pace this morning," said Giovinazzi.

"I tried to overtake Felix as early as possible, and found some grip on the outside line at the hairpin.

"He gave me some good pressure and the safety cars didn't help me."

Charles Leclerc demoted Maximilian Gunther to take third place - and rookie honours - into Turn 2 on the opening lap, while the fast-starting Jake Dennis followed him through.

Leclerc then had to shake off a challenge from the Prema car of Dennis before he could set off after the two leaders, taking third in his Van Amersfoort Racing machine.

Gunther took fifth, his best finish yet, after a solid race in his Mucke Motorsport car, with Ferrari protege Lance Stroll (Prema) and Markus Pommer's Motopark car next up.

Mikkel Jensen demoted Brandon Maisano from eighth place just after the first safety car, with Gustavo Menezes doing likewise to Santino Ferrucci for the final point.

Just behind the two Americans, George Russell recovered from 18th on the grid to 12th, fellow Brit Callum Ilott took 13th from a grid-penalised 19th, while London-born Thai Alexander Albon went from the back of the starting line-up to 14th.

The first safety car was caused by Pietro Fittipaldi spinning into the gravel at the Sachskurve, the second when Tatiana Calderon thumped into Nicolas Beer at Turn 2, and the third when Raoul Hyman skated into the gravel entering the stadium.

RESULTS - 16 LAPS: