Further down the order, Jean-Karl Vernay was fifth, followed by Koudai Tsukakoshi and Jules Bianchi. Erik Janis took eighth, recovering from a poor qualifying session to take the final point – and thus narrowly hold onto the lead in the rookie classification, 75.5 points versus the 75 notched up by Maki.

Of the rest Dani Clos and Henkie Waldschmidt rounded out the top ten with James Jakes and Edoardo Mortara eleventh and twelfth respectively.

In total 23 drivers' were classified at the end with four failing to finishing – namely Oliver Oaks, Jon Lancaster, Brendon Hartley and Kazuya Oshima, the latter three failing to complete the opening lap.

Indeed Hartley barrel-rolled out at the start and was transferred to the medical centre for checks. The New Zealander was subsequently given the all-clear as doctors couldn't find any injuries.