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Bottas defends Masters title

Valtteri Bottas became the first driver ever to win the Masters of Formula 3 title twice, with victory in today's event at Zandvoort

Rain just before the race promted a safety car start, with Roberto Merhi - fourth on the grid - the only front runner to elect to start on wet weather tyres.

The Spaniard took an early lead while conditions suited him, but once the track began to dry out he was passed by pole-sitter Alexander Sims and Bottas.

Sims soon lost his lead to ART team-mate Bottas and the Finn was able to control the rest of the race from the front. Marco Wittman concluded the podium in third.

"It was a tough race, but now I am really happy," said Bottas. "Winning the Masters for the second time was my goal for this weekend.

"Before the race, we opted for slicks, which turned out to be the right choice. It was close once or twice while lapping other drivers, but that is part of the game."

Carlin's Jean-Eric Vergne was the highest-placed driver from the British championship in fourth, ahead of reigning Macau Grand Prix winner Edoardo Mortara and Gabriel Dias.

Pos Driver                    Team          Car      Time/Gap
 1. Valtteri Bottas           ART           D/M    41m38.851s
 2. Alexander Sims            ART           D/M        +1.131
 3. Marco Wittmann            Signature     D/V       +11.054
 4. Jean-Eric Vergne          Carlin        D/V       +12.693
 5. Edoardo Mortara           Signature     D/V       +18.563
 6. Gabriel Dias              Hitech        D/V     +1:07.717
 7. Lucas Foresti             Carlin        D/V     +1:11.166
 8. Wayne Boyd                Sino Vision   D/M     +1:14.084
 9. Hywel Lloyd               CF/Manor      D/M     +1:15.227
10. Rio Haryanto              CF/Manor      D/M        +1 lap
11. William Buller            Hitech        D/V        +1 lap
12. Roberto Merhi             Mucke         D/M        +1 lap
13. Rupert Svendsen-Cook      Carlin        D/V        +1 lap
14. Nigel Melker              Mucke         D/M        +1 lap
15. Carlos Munoz              Mucke         D/M        +1 lap
16. Daniel Juncadella         Prema         D/M       +2 laps
17. Adderly Fong              Sino Vision   D/M       +2 laps
18. Antonio Felix da Costa    Motopark      D/V       +2 laps
19. Nicolas Marroc            Prema         D/M       +2 laps
20. Matias Laine              Motopark      D/V       +3 laps
21. Stef Dusseldorp           Signature     D/V       +3 laps
22. Laurens Vanthoor          Signature     D/V       +3 laps

Not classified

    Jazeman Jaafar            Carlin        D/V        2 laps
    Jim Pla                   ART           D/M        2 laps

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