Robert Wickens scored perhaps the most bizarre win of his career in a rain-struck opening GP3 race at Spa-Francorchamps this afternoon.
The Canadian Status driver rode his luck but arguably played the rules to perfection after a heavy storm hit the track midway through the race.
When the field reached La Source nearly everybody spun, including leader Wickens, who hit the wall hard. But Wickens managed to get going and tiptoe round with a broken nose cone as the safety car came out to restore order.
Wickens then stayed out as everyone else bar Adrian Quaife-Hobbs (Manor) pitted for wets, and thus he retained the lead. That looked a bad call when it was announced that the safety car was coming in with four laps to go, as Wickens would surely get eaten alive on slicks on a flooded circuit.
But the race time limit was approaching, and Wickens managed to slow the field just enough to ensure that the clock wound down to zero before the pack reached the flag - thus ensuring he took the checker in first.
A multi-car pile-up at the first corner had earlier ensured the first four laps were run behind the safety car - only two full racing laps were completed.
Results to follow