Latifi claims dominant win in Formula 2 season-opener

Nicholas Latifi became the first winner of the 2019 FIA Formula 2 Championship after taking the chequered flag in the Feature Race held Saturday in support of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. 

Latifi started from fourth place but was able to take over as the leader early on. He then lost the advantage but regained it on Lap 23, and did well to hold on and stretch his lead until the chequered flag.

The Canadian, who drives for DAMS, won in a total race time of 59m 19.517s.

He was a comfortable 8.744s ahead of runner-up Luca Ghiotto from Italy, who competes with UNI-Virtuosi Racing.

Latifi’s DAMS partner Sergio Sette Camara from Brazil came third 14.826s adrift.

Anthoine Hubert of Arden, Louis Deletraz of Carlin, Nyck De Vries of ART Grand Prix, Jack Aitken of Campos Racing and Mick Schumacher of Prema Racing rounded out the top eight.

Schumacher claimed his finishing position late in the race, and it was a crucial move as it earned him pole position for Sunday’s Sprint, as per the series’ reverse grid rule.

The Sprint is scheduled for a 2.15pm start.