GP3 Monza: Red Bull's Daniil Kvyat dominates as title race erupts

MW Arden driver Kvyat made a perfect start from pole, while fellow front-row man Robert Visoiu made a slow getaway.

As Carlos Sainz Jr and Tio Ellinas battled for second at the first corner, Dino Zamparelli took to the grass on the inside and speared into the side of Manor team-mate Ellinas, who in turn rammed Sainz into a spin.

Visoiu was also taken out, while title contender Conor Daly bounced over the kerbs and sustained a front-right puncture. He too retired.

Kvyat completed the opening lap with a 3.4-second advantage, which he extended to 5.3s by the finish over Carlin's Nick Yelloly, who inherited second after the first-corner calamity.

Kvyat's repeat of his Spa victory also keeps his championship hopes alive.

Points leader Facu Regalia (who spun without harm on his way to the grid!) worked his way past Alexander Sims for third place with a big tow on the start/finish straight.

Sims re-attacked ART's Regalia at Roggia, but a slow exit allowed a charging Lewis Williamson (Bamboo) to jump up to fourth at Lesmo 1.

Behind Sims, Kevin Korjus finished sixth, ahead of Jack Harvey and Patric Niederhauser, who will start Sunday's reversed-grid race from pole.

Sainz recovered to finish ninth from 19th following his opening lap spin.

Results - 17 laps:

Pos  Driver               Team        Time/Gap
 1.  Daniil Kvyat         MW Arden  28m10.516s
 2.  Nick Yelloly         Carlin       +5.352s
 3.  Facu Regalia         ART          +8.084s
 4.  Lewis Williamson     Bamboo       +8.694s
 5.  Alexander Sims       Carlin      +10.683s
 6.  Kevin Korjus         Koiranen    +12.426s
 7.  Jack Harvey          ART         +13.557s
 8.  Patric Niederhauser  Jenzer      +23.166s
 9.  Carlos Sainz Jr      MW Arden    +28.336s
10.  Patrick Kujala       Koiranen    +30.410s
11.  Giovanni Venturini   Trident     +30.779s
12.  Melville Mckee       Bamboo      +31.301s
13.  Jimmy Eriksson       Status      +32.192s
14.  Emanuele Zonzini     Trident     +33.913s
15.  David Fumanelli      Trident     +34.447s
16.  Aaro Vainio          Koiranen    +42.557s
17.  Samin Gomez          Jenzer    +1m10.797s
18.  Carmen Jorda         Bamboo    +1m40.461s
19.  Adderly Fong         Status        +1 lap
     Ryan Cullen          Manor         +1 lap

Retirements:

     Luis Sa Silva        Carlin        4 laps
     Alex Fontana         Jenzer        2 laps
     Robert Visoiu        MW Arden       1 lap
     Conor Daly           ART            1 lap
     Josh Webster         Status        0 laps
     Dino Zamparelli      Manor         0 laps
     Tio Ellinas          Manor         0 laps