Hungaroring FR3.5: Orudzhev denies Merhi and Rowland in epic race

The Russian outdragged fishtailing polesitter Oliver Rowland into the lead away from the lights, and spent the rest of the race fiercely and skilfully defending his position.

"I was lucky that it was almost impossible to pass on this track, as I was completely destroyed in 20 minutes," said Orudzhev.

"I saved my DRS for the last five laps, but it was really tough, the most difficult race of my life, probably."

Rowland initially dropped behind championship rival Matthieu Vaxiviere on the run down to Turn 1, but recovered the position later round the opening tour.

A wrong-footed Vaxiviere was also demoted by Orudzhev's Arden team-mate Nicholas Latifi, who had charged from seventh on the grid into third.

The battle overheated on lap five when the pair made contact on the exit of Turn 1.

Canadian Latifi was forced to retire with a left-rear puncture, but Lotus Formula 1 junior driver Vaxiviere survived the scare.

In the second half of the race, a gaggle of four cars consisting of Rowland, Vaxiviere, Manor Formula 1 driver Roberto Merhi and former GP2 ace Tom Dillmann former behind Orudzhev's gearbox.

There were numerous wild moments. First Frenchman Vaxiviere ran completely off the road at the fast Turn 11 right-hander.

Rowland found the grass at Turn 12 and took to the run-off on the exit of Turn 3 in his efforts to wrestle the lead from Orudzhev before he could come under attack from his closest championship rival Vaxiviere.

But it was Pons driver Merhi who was able to make his overtaking attempts stick.

The Spaniard, who has endured a troubled season in FR3.5 alongside his F1 campaign, first grabbed third from Vaxiviere on lap 25 of 27, before stealing second position from Rowland into the final corner on the last lap.

Behind the breathless lead battle action, Red Bull junior Dean Stoneman completed the top six for DAMS.

Monaco winner Jazeman Jaafar sustained a puncture and finished down in 18th.

RESULTS - 27 LAPS: