Charles Leclerc (PREMA Racing) has won his 7th race of the season at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi. He is followed by Alexander Albon (ART Grand Prix) and Nicholas Latifi (DAMS) completes the top 3.
It is a food start for Alexander Albon, who goes straight into the lead, followed by Latifi and teammate Matsushita. Leclerc already made up a position as well, with King in 5th. Oliver Rowland, who started from the back of the grid after being disqualified from yesterday’s race, is already up in 13th. The top 4 drivers: Albon, Latifi, Matsushita, de Vries; are looking very quick, already having a small gap on the next drivers. King, Leclerc, Ghiotto and Markelov in battle for 5th.
Leclerc manages to pass King for 5th, the Monegasque is on a charge to get to the top 4 drivers, 5 secodns ahead. While Markelov passes teammate Ghiotto for 6th, to then quickly close in on King. Ghiotto then closing in again on Markelov, both Russian Time drivers getting past King at the same time with a beautiful maneuver. The Brit getting out of this battle with a puncture, which will eventually lead to a DNF for the MP Motorsport driver.
Rowland is now up into 8th, closing in behind the Russian Time drivers, when Ghiotto tries a move on his teammate and gets past for 6th. Further back we see rookie Lando Norris (Campos Racing) going wheel to wheel with Roberto Merhi and gaining position. Going back to Markelov and Rowland, they are now in a battle for 7th, joined by Sette Camara and Deletraz. Ghiotto sets fastest lap, on a charge to catch Leclerc.
The incident between Markelov and King, that caused the latter to retire will have no further action. Markelov up in 7th, with Rowland still stuck behind the Russian. Leclerc has finally caught up on de Vries and easily passes him, to then get in chase of Matsushita to get up in 3rd position. At the back of the field we see a beautiful battle unfold between Merhi, Malja, Fuoco, Gelael, Ferruci and Nato for 13th position. Markelov is the next driver to pass de Vries, followed by Rowland, who catches Markelov again.
At 6 laps from the end, we see Leclerc closing in on Latifi and Albon, he finds a way past Latifi quite quickly. He’s then on the back of Albon, but due to yellow flags (caused by Deletraz stopping on track) in sector 3 he doesn’t get the chance he wished for to pass the ART driver. The Monegasque will have to wait till the final lap to get his chance, passing Albon with a slight touch to get in the lead.
Leclerc wins his last ever F2 race, followed by Albon and Latifi who complete the top 3. Matsushita is 4th, followed by both RUSSIAN TIME drivers Ghiotto and Markelov respectively in 5th and 6th. RUSSIAN TIME, therefore, securing the 2017 Team Championship. Rowland, Sette Camara, Norris and de Vries complete the top 10.
