Another stand-in driver, Romain Grosjean (subbing for injured Ho-Pin Tung at DAMS), took third place after fellow podium contenders Jérôme d'Ambrosio and Sergio Pérez ran into trouble.

After starting second, the Addax driver made light work of pole man Rodolfo González (Arden), running much quicker through Eau Rouge and passing him at Les Combes on the first lap.

The race was punctuated by three safety cars for accidents – including crashes by Christian Vietoris, Charles Pic and Jules Bianchi – and debris on the track.

González later dropped behind Pérez's team-mate Giedo van der Garde and feature race runner up Alvaro Parente (Scuderia Coloni).

Championship leader Pastor Maldonado retired at Les Combes on the first lap, so Pérez's win keeps his mathematical chance of closing up the Venezuelan's big points lead alive.