Antinucci wins Korean race

The Hitech Racing driver's path to victory was aided when pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton, who had dominated the event in practice and qualifying, crashed out of the first heat after just two laps after contact with fellow front-row starter Nelson Piquet Jr.

Antinucci started from third on the grid, but leapt into the lead off the line, and pulled clear as Piquet and Hamilton battled. Piquet chased Antinucci hard for most of heat one - going so far as to nudge the back of his Hitech team-mate at the chicane on one lap - but the American was never headed during either heat.

"It feels really good to finally get a win after two years," said Antinucci. "I've come close several times, but there's no better race to win than one of the big international races.

"This win puts me back in the spotlight. I struggled to finish fourth in British F3 this year, but it's really special to win one of the blue-riband races against the best teams and best drivers. I think we pretty much dominated this weekend and this win will help with whatever I do in the future."

Doornbos came home a close third in the first heat, but snuck past Piquet Jr in heat two to claim second overall. Although the Menu Motorsport driver was unable to keep on terms with the winner, he was satisfied with his performance.

"I knew that to make an impression here I had to do it at the start, but the gap to Antinucci grew too quickly and I couldn't keep up with him," said Doornbos. "I'm happy with second," he said.

Piquet spent much of the second heat trying to fend off James Courtney for third overall. The battle ended in controversy on the penultimate lap, when Courtney tapped the Brazilian into a spin at the chicane. Piquet was able to continue but then crashed heavily on the final lap, bringing out the red flags. With the result determined by countback, Piquet was awarded third ahead of Courtney.

"Today has been quite complicated," said Piquet. "I was pushing hard to keep Courtney back, then he touched me on the exit of the corner under acceleration and I spun. I managed to continue and then a few corners later the car just didn't turn and I went straight into the wall."

Although a British F3 regular won the race, it wasn't a great day for the British drivers. Danny Watts was the top finish in ninth, with Rob Austin finishing 15th. Although Hamilton returned to the track for heat two, finishing 14th, neither he nor Andrew Thompson were classified.

Macau GP winner Nicolas Lapierre was another to hit trouble, finishing 19th overall, one lap adrift.

Richard Antinucci Dallara-Renault 47 laps
Robert Doornbos Dallara-Opel +1.982s
Nelson Piquet Jr Dallara-Renault +2.473s
James Courtney Dallara-Toyota +3.001s
Tatsuya Kataoka Dallara-Toyota +8.481s
Robert Kubica Dallara-Opel +9.104s
Cesar Campanico Dallara-Renault +18.291s
Fabio Carbone Dallara-Renault +21.209s
Alvaro Parenta Dallara-Mugen-Honda +21.789s
Nico Rosberg Dallara-Mugen-Honda +25.780s