BEIJING - Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu took his first Formula 2 victory on Sunday, winning the sprint race at the Sochi Autodrom which was cut short following a huge crash.

Zhou Guanyu is currently ranks eighth in the 2020 standings with four races still to run

Starting from pole position, Zhou kept his lead in the opening stages of the race while others jockeyed for position behind him.

ALSO READ: Why China's Zhou may be in line for F1 in 2021

The race was suspended on lap 8 of 30 following a crash involving Luca Ghiotto and Jack Aitken, who tangled and span into the barriers at high speed.

Though both drivers were unhurt, the time needed to repair the extensive damage to the barriers meant that the race was not restarted, with the results being taken from the end of lap 5 and only half championship points being awarded.

READ MORE: Revving into the reckoning

This is Zhou's second season in Formula 2, with the 21-year-old having finished the 2019 season in seventh place as the series' top rookie. The Shanghai-born driver is currently eighth in the 2020 standings with four races still to run.