Leimer wins IFM Spa race from pole

The Swiss suffered from wheelspin at the start, slipping behind F3 Euro Series race winner Alex Sims, who had made a good start from third on the grid.

But Sims' lead was short-lived and the Jenzer Motorsport driver was soon back ahead, pulling out a lead of four seconds in five laps to establish a cushion that he never lost.

Sims, who was battling chronic oversteer, also slipped behind Sergey Afanasiev on the first lap. His car struggling for pace, the McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award winner ended up sixth at the finish, with a best lap over two seconds off his qualifying time proving the extent of his battle.

Afanasiev held onto second for the rest of the race, with Iris Project driver Simon Trummer claiming an impressive career-best third place ahead of Erik Janis after showing strong pace all weekend.

He finished ahead of Alex Rossi and Sims, with Josef Kral losing significant ground in the championship battle to Leimer by finishing just seventh.

Pal Varhaug climbed from 12th on the grid to take a point and the reverse grid pole position for race two, in eighth.

Patrick Reiterer, who qualified fifth, was the last classified finisher in 15th after his flying start was deemed to have been a little too quick, earning him a penalty.