YAS MARINA, Abu Dhabi -- Red Bull junior Pierre Gasly has clinched the GP2 championship at the season finale at Abu Dhabi.
Gasly overcame a slow start to the season to claim the title, with wins in Great Britain, Hungary, Belgium and Abu Dhabi enough for the crown. The French driver failed to win for the opening nine rounds of the season.
After winning Saturday's feature race in Abu Dhabi, a ninth-place finish was enough for the title as he came home two places behind his title rival. Giovinazzi needed a podium and a fastest lap just to stand a chance of the championship.
Gasly's title win marks a remarkable turnaround after two seasons without a victory in Formula Renault 3.5 (where he nearly beat Carlos Sainz to the title in 2014) and GP2 last year. The French driver was overlooked for a 2017 Toro Rosso seat after the team decided to retain Daniil Kvyat alongside Sainz.
As per GP2 rules, Gasly will not be able to return to the championship after winning the title so will need to find an alternative series next year.