Young Australian driver Oscar Piastri has clinched the Formula 2 world title.
The 20-year-old from Melbourne wrapped up the crown on the penultimate day of the season with a cool tactical drive to finish third in Saturday's 23-lap sprint race at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi.
Piastri's Prema Racing teammate Robert Schwartzman was the only driver left with a chance at the title.
But Piastri was quickly on his back wheel after starting 10th on the grid — from a reverse top-10 start — and tracked him relentlessly as Schwartzman moved through the field.
Piastri fought his way past Schwartzman with three laps remaining to ensure a podium finish as the Russian finished fourth.
The Australian had already earned five victories in this year's championship.
He has now achieved the extraordinary feat of winning a third straight junior championship following his F3 title last year and the Formula Renault Eurocup from 2019.
Long tipped for Formula One stardom, Piastri will have to bide his time next year when he will be reserve driver for the Alpine Formula One team.
He can add to his season win tally in another sprint race before the season-ending feature race on Sunday, in which Piastri will start from pole position after he topped qualifying for a fifth consecutive round.
AAP
