Ferrari protege Leclerc clinches F2 title

Ferrari protege and Formula 1 prospect Charles Leclerc clinched the Formula 2 championship title with three races remaining after winning at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain on Saturday .

The 19-year-old Monte Carlo-born driver is a member of the Ferrari academy and tipped to make his F1 race debut with Sauber next season.

He has an insurmountable 68-point lead over British rival Oliver Rowland.

Leclerc had started from pole position for the eighth time this season, a record for the Formula One support series that was previously known as GP2.

The Monegasque is due to drive for Sauber in Friday practice at three of the last four grands prix this season.