Oliver Turvey converted pole position into a breakthrough Formula Renault 3.5 victory with a flawless performance in Monaco today.
The Penrith resident, on his rookie appearance in the principality, held off sustained pressure from Adrian Zaugg to win by 0.6 seconds.
"It has been a trouble-free weekend since touching the barrier with about two laps of free practice left on Thursday," said Turvey. "I knew where the limit was, my last lap in qualifying was a great lap and that set up the victory.
"I was just looking in my mirrors and controlling the race, I don't think Zaugg was ever really close enough to make a move. It's amazing to win here in front of the Formula 1 teams."
Front row qualifier James Walker was jumped by Zaugg away from the start. Although the P1 Motorsport driver initially shadowed the South African, Walker dropped back and settled for third over the final laps.
Championship leader Marcos Martinez was forced to retire from fourth place with rear brake trouble, promoting Ultimate Motorsport's Miguel Molina into the position. Molina headed a closely fought six-car train, but there was to be no overtaking among the group.
Second in the standings entering the weekend, Draco's Bertrand Baguette added to his points tally with fifth place.
There was bitter luck for Pasquale di Sabatino after one of the strongest runs of the Italian's three year Formula Renault 3.5 tenure ended when his RC Motorsport machine came to a halt on the entry to the Swimming Pool.
The visibly dejected di Sabatino's misfortune allowed British Formula 3 champion Jaime Alguersuari up to sixth place. Alguersuari had made a stellar start from 10th on the grid to leapfrog Epsilon Euskadi's pairing of Adrian Valles and Chris van der Drift on the opening lap.
Red Bull Formula 1 reserve driver Brendon Hartley was upset to be hit by two drivethrough penalties for cutting Monaco's chicane, despite his protestations that he had backed off after each occasion. The Kiwi, taking part in his final confirmed race with Tech 1 Racing, salvaged some honour by setting a resounding fastest lap.
Fellow F3 Euro Series racer Jules Bianchi started from the pitlane in his debut, and likely only, appearance with SG Formula. The Frenchman's race ended after sustaining right rear suspension damage from clipping the barriers on the exit of the final part of the Swimming Pool.
Results to follow