Igor Fraga wins at Manfeild in New Zealand Grand Prix opener

Igor Fraga has taken the first race of the Toyota Racing Series at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon, ahead of Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto.

Wheelspin from polesitter Franco Colapinto gifted Brazilian Igor Fraga the lead, with Liam Lawson up into second place from the second row of the grid.

Grégoire Saucy was tipped off mid-way through the opening lap, effectively ending any hope he had of a fairytale championship victory.

Behind them, Collet went down the inside of Kohlbecker into Turn 1 to take fourth place. The race settled in, with Fraga, Lawson, and Colapinto pulling away from the chasing pack.

Emillien Denner tangled with Henning Enqvist in the mid-field in a dramatic crash, leaving both cars buried in the barriers. The Safety Car quickly turned into a red flag, and the race was neutralised.

Fraga held his own at the restart, with Colapinto applying significant pressure to Lawson. The lead trio held their order through Turn 1, and the race was on with 11 laps remaining.

Fraga, Lawson, and Colapinto all traded fastest laps, with Fraga gently consolidating his lead. Colapinto was glued to Lawson's gearbox, but the Red Bull Junior driver was able to keep him at bay, setting identical lap times.

The Brazilian's lead was simply too much to bear, with Fraga taking the race victory ahead of Lawson and Colapinto.

Fraga's victory reduced Liam Lawson's championship lead to just four points with two races left in the championship. Yuki Tsunoda and Grégoire Saucy were eliminated from championship contention after today’s results, leaving just the three podium-sitters in the hunt for the 2020 title.

Aussie Jackson walls finished P10, while veteran kiwi Kenny Smith finished P17 on the road to his 49th New Zealand Grand Prix on Sunday.