Barcelona GP3: Alex Lynn claims victory on series debut
Red Bull junior Alex Lynn started life on the Formula 1 team's driver development programme in fine fashion with a comfortable victory on his GP3 Series debut at Barcelona
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
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