Oscar Piastri excelled once again in FIA Formula 2 to win the Feature Race at the Sochi Autodrom.
The Alpine Academy driver was virtually unchallenged from the field behind to take a deserved victory to extend his lead in the title race to 36 points.
Piastri controlled the race from pole position and kept Theo Pourchaire at bay through the first stint of the race.
Piastri’s earlier pit stop enabled Pourchaire to emerge from his own tyre change in front but on cooler tyres the Frenchman had no choice but to cede position to the Prema driver.
The duo worked their way through yet-to-stop rivals and maintained their respective positions, with Pourchaire never seriously challenging Piastri’s position up front.
Ralph Boschung held third for much of the race but a heavy lock-up cost him positions and he subsequently drifted rearwards through the top 10 before stopping due to a puncture.
Jehan Daruvala, who had overhauled Boschung prior to the Swiss driver’s exit, collected the final spot on the podium, while Robert Shwartzman kept his title hopes alive by classifying fourth.
Dan Ticktum was fifth while Guanyu Zhou lost ground in the title race by taking only sixth.
Liam Lawson collected the points for the fastest lap on his way to seventh, with Richard Verschoor, Christian Lundgaard and David Beckmann completing the top 10.
The next time FIA Formula 2 will be in action is at the brand-new Jeddah Corniche Circuit on December 3-5, supporting the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend.
