Motorsport: Evans holds on to second in GP3 after Monaco race drama

New Zealand GP3 driver Mitch Evans leads the highly-competitive series. Photo / Supplied

Mitch Evans has retained second place overall in the GP3 standings after a fourth in a dramatic second Monaco race.

Evans started fourth in the reverse top eight race having finished fifth in the Saturday feature race. That race was red-flagged after 13 of the scheduled 18 laps because of damage to the debris fencing caused by a spectacular crash involving Connor Daly and Dmitry Suranovich at the harbourside chicane.

Suranovich, who had continued without a rear wing after an earlier clash between the two, was excluded from the results for his role in the incident.

Reverse grid pole man Marlon Stockinger celebrated the first win of his GP3 career after a lights to flag victory.

The start was also dramatic with a spectacular incident at the exit of Sainte Devote after Alex Brundle tapped the back of his Carlin teammate William Buller which sent Buller's car into the air. It landed upside down and the safety car was deployed. Buller was not injured.

Stockinger had defended his lead at the start with Daniel Abt trying to sneak past Antonio Felix Da Costa but the Lotus GP driver had to hold station. After two laps behind the safety car, racing resumed.

Abt in third place was a few seconds back from the leading two and was shadowed by Evans in fourth. Further back were David Fumanelli, Kevin Ceccon, Aaro Vainio and Tio Ellinas.

The action in the first race was down the field in the second half of the race when Daly caught the back of Dmitry Suranovich at the hairpin and the Russian driver lost his rear wing.

As Suranovich continued racing, struggling to keep control, Daly made contact with the rear of the crippled car as they came out of the tunnel. Daly became airborne, hitting the high debris fence at the side of the circuit. Stockinger recorded his debut victory in GP3, as the result was declared after 13 laps. Felix Da Costa took second with Abt achieving his first podium in the GP3 Series. Evans, Fumanelli, Ceccon, Vainio and Ellinas rounded out the top eight.

The result makes it four different winners from four races this season. Vaino heads the standings on 54 points with Evans second overall on 43 and Stockinger on 39.

The third round begins in Valencia on June 22.