(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Charles Leclerc showed why he is the 2017 Formula 2 champion with a top sprint to secure the final race at the Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday.
Prema Racing's Leclerc started seventh on the grid and edged past many before pipping ART Grand Prix's Alexander Albon and Dams' Nicholas Latifi in the final stretch.
Leclerc clinched the 22-lap race in 41 minutes 36.188 seconds ahead of Albon at 41 minutes and 37.481 seconds.
Albon took lead from the start and was followed by Nobuharu Matsushita, Latifi, Nyck De Vries, Leclerc, King, Luca Ghiotto, Sergio Sette Camara and Artem Markelov.
Albon kept gaining crucial seconds. By 11th lap, Leclerc pushed De Vries and eventually went past Matsushita. With four laps to go, the stage was set for a final battle.
It was an intense finish to the race as Leclerc tried a pass through the inside ahead of a long straight stretch. It was wheel-to-wheel stuff as Leclerc went through by a second.
"What a drive. This is the best race of the season. I am so happy," he said sitting in the cockpit.
With the victory, Leclerc extended his lead by 72 to 282 points, with Artem Markelov (210) in second and Oliver Rowland (191) in third. Meanwhile, Russian Time secured the team's title with 395 points and Prema Racing coming second at 380 and Dams third with 369 points.
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