Alice Powell victorious in W Series opener at Red Bull Ring
Alice Powell has won the first race of the 2021 W Series at the Red Bull Ring, taking back-to-back victories separated by almost 700 days.
Alice Powell celebrates after winning the W Series opener in Austria. (Supplied)
The 28 year-old led from the start after claiming pole position, establishing a dominant lead before a late race Safety Car to clear Marta Garcia's stricken car from the circuit.
She faced growing pressure from Sarah Moore after the restart but the chasing Briton was unable to catch her compatriot, with Powell taking the chequered flag.
The victory marked the final leg of a dominant weekend for Powell, who topped every session.
Belen Garcia had held her third place from the start but ran wide at Turn 6, returning to the track in ninth and promoting Beitske Visser into third.
With Powell and Moore checking out at the front, the charge was on for the final podium position, and Emma Kimiläinen collided with Visser into Turn 3 on the restart, spinning her and sending her to the back of the pack.
Fabienne Wohlwend took full advantage of the incident, moving up to third place.
Alice Powell, Sarah Moore, and Fabienne Wohlwend celebrate on the podium in Austria. (W Series)
With a mad dash to the finish as the clock ticked down, Powell could not be beaten, taking the first race of the season ahead of Moore and Wohlwend.
"I saw Marta's car on the side of the track and I was dreading the safety car coming out, but I managed to keep control," said Powell.
"I knew I had the pace, so it was just about staying consistent and bringing it home"
Despite building a sizeable lead in the early phase of the race, Powell said it wasn't as simple inside the car.
"I struggled for the first couple of laps to push but I knew the pace would be there, and I was just focused on going forward."
"It's the perfect start and an amazing feeling, better than I had in 2019, so a massive thanks to W Series and F1 for such a great weekend."
Jamie Chadwick spins off after contact with Jess Hawkins. (SBS)
2019 Champion Jamie Chadwick qualified in eighth and spun off the track at the start of the race after contact with Jess Hawkins.
She set the field alight after the Safety Car, fighting her way through the field to finish seventh.
