Oscar Piastri crowned F2 champion in Abu Dhabi

Arriving in Abu Dhabi 51.5 points ahead of his teammate at Prema, Robert Shwartzman, Oscar Piastri only needed a 5th place in the first race of the weekend in Abu Dhabi to clinch the world title in F2. And the Australian did better as he finished on the podium, in third place, behind Jehan Daruvala (Carlin) and Felipe Drugovich (UNI-Virtuosi).

Piastri got off to a great start. Starting 10th, he was already 6th at the first corner after slipping between several cars. He then made a waiting run behind his teammate and final title rival, Shwartzman. The two men overtook Dan Ticktum then Liam Lawson and with three laps to go, on his first attack, Piastri got the better of the Russian to claim the podium.

After the Formula Renault title in 2019, then the F3 title last season, the 20-year-old Australian, managed by former F1 driver Mark Webber, therefore continues with a third crown. He will not be able to stay in F2 because the category champion cannot defend his title. But he will not be a regular in F1 either and will have to settle for a position as 3rd driver at Alpine, to the chagrin of his fans.

He succeeds on the F2 record to Charles Leclerc, champion in 2017, George Russell (2018), Nyck de Vries (2019) and Mick Schumacher (2020).