Spa FR3.5: Rowland beats de Vries and Vaxiviere in race two

From pole position, the Racing Steps-backed Fortec driver commanded the race throughout, and only slowed in the closing laps to minimise risks when a light shower hit the circuit.

McLaren protege Nyck de Vries equalled the best result of his three-round FR3.5 career by successfully fending off the advances of race one victor Matthieu Vaxiviere in the fight for second.

DAMS racer de Vries jumped ahead of slow-starting front row man Tio Ellinas into the La Source hairpin away from the lights to slot in behind Rowland.

The Dutchman only came under attack when Vaxiviere closed in on him at nearly two seconds a lap in the dying stages of the race, but skilfully defended his position before the Frenchman eased off from his challenge on the final tour.

"Ideally I wanted Nyck behind me in the early laps, because we both we were on low downforce," said Rowland.

"I was hoping he could hold the others up if they proved to be quicker, but I think we were fastest on the first stint.

"I kept pushing right up until the final five laps, because I wanted an advantage in case the rain came. When it did, I was pretty worried."

De Vries was equally satisfied following his strong drive, and in seeing off Vaxiviere - who had opted for high-downforce settings that proved ideal for the track conditions in the closing laps.

"It was an exciting end," said the Dutch racer. "Usually everyone has eight DRS pulses, but for some reason today it was unlimited, so I felt that might put us at a disadvantage.

"[The fight with Vaxiviere] was similar to the one we had at the opening race in Motorland, fortunately it worked out better this time."

De Vries' DAMS stablemate Dean Stoneman had a three-car train of Dallaras queuing up behind him in the battle for fourth as the race reached its climax.

Stoneman survived a messy final corner at the Bus Stop that worked in the Red Bull junior driver's favour to narrowly claim the spot.

Cypriot Ellinas had been on the receiving end of a last corner lunge by Jazeman Jaafar, incredibly up from last on the grid after a scrutineering issue post-qualifying.

Both men survived to take the chequered flag in fifth and sixth - the order unchanged from the preceding tour.

Carlin's former GP2 racer Tom Dillmann suffered damage in an incident involving Nicholas Latifi on the opening lap.

RESULTS - 21 LAPS:

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: