CARLIN team driver Antonio Felix da Costa followed up his qualification race victory to win the Macau Grand Prix in stunning fashion on Sunday.

The 2012 winner started from pole, but had to fight off a strong challenge from team-mate Sergio Sette Camara, the young Brazilian completing a double podium for Carlin with third place.

Jake Hughes claimed the title of top rookie after crossing the line sixth. And fellow rookie Lando Norris completed a fantastic weekend for Farnham-based Carlin, making up 15 places to cross the line 11th after starting from the back of the grid.

When the lights went out for this Formula Three World Cup race, held at the Guia street circuit in Macau, one of China’s administrative regions, there were two Volkswagen-powered Dallaras in the top three, with da Costa starting from pole and Sette Camara third.

Sette Camara came out of Lisboa in the lead and he and da Costa pulled away from the rest to conduct their own battle.

Just as the pair got close, the safety car came out while a stranded car was removed. But on the restart, Sette Camara and da Costa again broke away, leaving two-times Macau winner Felix Rosenqvist in third.

da Costa stole the lead going into Lisboa and in the second half of the race Sette Camara found himself under pressure from Rosenqvist.

Again, the second car was required after an accident. At the second restart, da Costa led the field away, while Sette Camara eventually lost second place to the experienced Rosenqvist.

da Costa controlled the pace at the front and was never under serious threat from Rosenqvist as he claimed his second Macau Grand Prix victory.

The Portuguese racer said: “I have no words. Trevor (Carlin) called me a month ago. I said let’s just do this. I had so much fun here all week and to give the team this result back is unbelievable.

“I didn’t expect this, I surprised myself. This was probably my most dominant race and it’s such a nice feeling to have that in your pocket. I need to thank Trevor, the whole team, my crew. All three of my team-mates pushed me so hard. These young guys and rookies, they will make it to F1, to a top level. I’m so happy to win at this amazing track again.”