Barcelona GP3: Alex Lynn claims victory on series debut

The Carlin driver got away well from pole position but came under attack from fellow front row starter Marvin Kirchhofer and Richie Stanaway on the run into Turn 1.

But Kirchhofer outbraked himself and ran wide, dropping to fifth, and as Jimmy Eriksson took advantage to steal second Lynn edged clear out in front.

Lynn led each of the 16 laps and pulled ever further away from Eriksson, setting the fastest lap on his way to victory.

"The start was OK, it wasn't my finest start but it was enough to keep the lead," said Lynn.

"From there I was just managing my tyres to seal the win. The car feels amazing, I know it's a real cliche to thank my team but it's a real testament to them."

Eriksson was well clear of Stanaway in third, with Patrick Kujala holding off the frustrated Kirchhofer for fourth.

Dino Zamparelli was sixth ahead of Dean Stoneman, who started 13th, while ex-Formula 2 driver Mattheo Tuscher held off Nick Yelloly for eighth.

Patrick Niederhauser claimed the final point in 10th.

Six drivers failed to finish, four of whom retired after a hectic first lap.

Briton Emil Bernstorff ran wide at Turn 5 and skated across the gravel into the tyres.

Victor Carbone, Roman de Beer and Carmen Jorda all retired later round the opening tour, while Adderly Fong suffered a mechanical failure with four laps remaining and Ivan Taranov retired with one lap to go.

                                   
Results - 16 laps:                              
                                                
Pos  Driver               Team          Time/Gap
 1.  Alex Lynn            Carlin      26m36.158s
 2.  Jimmy Eriksson       Koiranen       +2.451s
 3.  Richie Stanaway      Status        +10.417s
 4.  Patrick Kujala       Manor         +12.712s
 5.  Marvin Kirchhofer    ART           +13.475s
 6.  Dino Zamparelli      ART           +16.535s
 7.  Dean Stoneman        Manor         +17.393s
 8.  Matheo Tuscher       Jenzer        +19.358s
 9.  Nick Yelloly         Status        +19.983s
10.  Patric Niederhauser  Arden         +20.513s
11.  Alex Fontana         ART           +21.088s
12.  Pal Varhaug          Jenzer        +27.560s
13.  Robert Visoiu        Arden         +28.799s
14.  Jann Mardenborough   Arden         +29.342s
15.  Ryan Cullen          Manor         +32.313s
16.  Luis Sa Silva        Carlin        +33.359s
17.  Nelson Mason         Hilmer        +35.854s
18.  Alfonso Celis Jr     Status        +41.705s
19.  Beitske Visser       Hilmer        +50.120s
20.  Santiago Urrutia     Koiranen      +52.602s
21.  Danis Nagulin        Trident       +53.776s
                                                
Retirements:                                    
                                                
     Ivan Taranov     Hilmer             15 laps
     Adderly Fong     Jenzer              4 laps
     Emil Bernstorff  Carlin              0 laps
     Victor Carbone   Trident             0 laps
     Roman de Beer    Trident             0 laps
     Carmen Jorda     Koiranen            0 laps