Sato put his car on pole for Race 1, just 0.076s ahead of Jack Doohan, with Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda behind them on the second row of the grid.

Sato led Doohan and Linus Lundqvist into the first corner, as the Swedish driver got the jump on his rivals out of fifth position.

Liam Lawson launched his recovery into the hairpin, regaining fourth position with his eyes firmly set on Lundqvist in third ahead.

Lawson was soon on Lundqvist’s tail, attempting an overtake around the outside of the hairpin on lap 2. The Red Bull Junior Driver ran wide, skirting over the kerb and launching his front wheels into the air.

Behind him, fellow Yuki Tsunoda passed Julian Hanses for fourth, and joined his fellow Red Bull Junior in chasing down the top three. In the pack behind them, Australian Calan Williams suffered damage and was overtaken by Billy Monger on the exit of the first corner.