Motorsport: Strong weekend for Kiwi racers

Marcus Armstrong won the first race at Imola in the Italian Formula 4 Championship. Photo / Supplied

It has been a successful weekend for Kiwi racers around the world with Will Bamber and Marcus Armstrong leading the way.

Bamber took victory in the GTC class in the China GT Championship in Shanghai.

Driving a JRM Lamborghini Huracan alongside Bian Hao, Bamber charged through the field and took an 11 second victory.

"We were able to get back on to the lead back with the help of the safety car. And then it was a 10 minute shootout at the end there," Bamber said.

"The guys at JRM are doing a great job with the car, and we had some good pace. Looking forward to the next race."

Fellow New Zealander Chris van der Drift also bagged a class podium, finishing fifth overall.

Teenager Armstrong extended his lead in the Italian Formula 4 Championship after winning the first race of the weekend at Imola.

The Toyota Racing Series star had a fierce battle with Estonian teammate Juri Vips but came out on top as Vips veered off the circuit.

He went on to claim a solid win and consolidate his championship lead.

After suffering from a steering rack problem in qualifying Armstrong started races two and three from eighth on the grid.

He produced a stunning drive to make his way to fourth in race two while he managed one better with third in the final race.

He takes a 17-point championship lead to the final round at Monza next month.

But Nick Cassidy suffered a disappointing weekend in the Japanese Super Formula with a DNF at Autopolis in Ōita Prefecture.

Cassidy crashed midway through the race.