Charles Leclerc - 2017 Champion

The golden boy of the first generation of F2 drivers. Charles Leclerc exploded onto the scene in the inaugural campaign in 2017, and was proof – if it was needed – that the Championship was the real deal.

Relentless, strong-minded and dripping with natural talent, Leclerc has the aura of those ‘once in a generation’ drivers. Graduating from GP3, Leclerc completed the remarkable feat of winning the Championship at the first attempt, and in doing so, marked himself out as a future star.

Driving for PREMA Racing, Leclerc enjoyed an utterly dominant campaign, with seven victories, and a further seven poles – finishing a remarkable 72 points ahead of the highly rated, and experienced, Artem Markelov.

Born in the Mediterranean idyll of Monaco and growing up in oneof the most illustrious motor racing locations on the globe, he always seemed bound for F1, but few could have anticipated the impact he would have in pinnacle of motorsport. A member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, Leclerc was placed in the Alfa Romeo Sauber cockpit for his rookie season and exceeded all expectations.

Earning a seat with the Scuderia for 2019, Leclerc was fearless, showing a bold refusal to be weighed down by the expectation of driving for the most historic team on the grid, winning twice and taking seven pole positions to finish fourth in the Championship.