Maldonado, having overcome Grosjean for what appeared to be third place at the second time of asking six laps previously, came through to inherit the second step of the podium, with Grosjean accepting a top three finish that he seemed to have thrown away by not believing the Venezuelan would try to repeat his final corner passing antics.

Senna should have been next up, the chance to take another massive bit out of Pantano's points lead on the cards but, incredibly, as he passed the Italian's stricken car, it was clear that something similar was amiss with the iSport machine.

The following d'Ambrosio and di Grassi went either side of the slowing Brazilian, with the veteran getting the better of the deal, grabbing the inside line for the final corner and fourth place, while Buemi and Andy Soucek also got through with time to spare.

Unlike Pantano, Senna was able to keep his momentum, trickling towards the line but, just as pole position for Sunday's sprint race appeared a possibility, up popped Filippi to deny the Brazilian.

Pantano's failure to finish not only robbed the Italian of ten points, but also any shot at salvaging the bonus for fastest lap, and he will also have to start well down the order as the tail-enders stole past him.

Backmarker Carlos Iaconelli pulled up in front of Senna, the Brazilian having parked once he had crossed the line, and appeared to have run into similar problems, while d'Ambrosio had appeared to slow as he and di Grassi raced to the line. Fuel problems were immediately suggested, and both Racing Engineering and iSport all but confirmed that they had miscalculated the consumption required for the new venue.

Despite their misfortune, Pantano and Senna continue to head the championship, the Italian nine points clear courtesy of his pole position bonus. di Grassi may have his title aspirations reawakened by fourth place, but knows that he - and the rest - won't be gifted another result like that which came their way on Saturday.