Pipo Derani wins dramatic reversed-grid British Formula 3 race at Oulton Park

Derani, driving a Fortec Motorsport Dallara-Mercedes, was faced with a one-lap sprint to the flag after a late safety car. But Fantin was more concerned with defending from Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen team-mate Jazeman Jaafar than attacking his compatriot.

While poleman Duvashen Padayachee (Double R) was quickly disposed of, the National Class T-Sport Dallara of Spike Goddard clung on at the front for almost five laps before Derani pulled a brave pass - with two wheels on the grass - on the approach to Lodge Corner.

Goddard then capitulated to the A-class drivers to conserve his National Class points, and Nick McBride moved into second place. But the Australian bounced across the grass at Cascades in his T-Sport Dallara-Nissan, promoting the fight between Fantin and Jaafar.

A delighted Derani said: "It feels really good, amazing. I've been looking for this for a long time. When I saw the safety car board I thought 's**t', but I made a good restart."

Fantin was disappointed that the safety car prevented what he felt was a chance of catching Derani.

Meanwhile, overtaking king Jaafar was happy to complete the podium from 11th on the grid and takes the championship lead as a result, as first-race winner Jack Harvey (Carlin) could only claw his way up to sixth.

The cause of the safety car was Fortec's Alex Lynn, who clipped the tyres at the Hislop's chicane and was stranded with deranged suspension.

Results - 12 laps:

Pos  Driver                Team/Car                  Time/Gap
 1.  Pipo Derani           Fortec Dallara-Merc     20m31.214s
 2.  Pietro Fantin         Carlin Dallara-VW         + 0.850s
 3.  Jazeman Jaafar        Carlin Dallara-VW         + 1.491s
 4.  Harry Tincknell       Carlin Dallara-VW         + 2.693s
 5.  Carlos Sainz Jr       Carlin Dallara-VW         + 3.079s
 6.  Jack Harvey           Carlin Dallara-VW         + 3.511s
 7.  Felix Serralles       Fortec Dallara-Merc       + 3.594s
 8.  Hannes van Asseldonk  Fortec Dallara-Merc       + 3.952s
 9.  Spike Goddard         T-Sport Dallara-Mugen     + 6.705s
10.  Geoff Uhrhane         Double R Dallara-Merc     + 7.911s
11.  Nick McBride          T-Sport Dallara-Nissan    + 8.823s
12.  Duvashen Padayachee   Double R Dallara-Mugen    + 9.633s

Retirements:

     Fahmi Ilyas           Double R Dallara-Merc      11 laps
     Alex Lynn             Fortec Dallara-Merc         6 laps