FORMULA 2: De Vries snatches Sochi pole from title rival Latifi

Nicholas Latifi dominated Free Practice and the majority of Qualifying in Sochi on Friday, but Formula 2 Championship leader Nyck de Vries switched it up a notch when it mattered, to earn his fifth pole position of the season.

Despite running slower in the first sector, and wobbling in the second, the Dutchman - who can seal the title this weekend - managed to steal P1 from the Williams test driver with less than three minutes on the clock, thanks to a scorching final third sector.

With the championship crown on the line, Canadian Latifi had looked set to finally end his qualifying hoodoo, with a first ever F2 pole positon, but De Vries’ late march leaves his title hopes hanging by a thread, with a 63 point deficit and only 92 left to play for.

Fellow contenders Luca Ghiotto and Sergio Sette Camara also left themselves with a lot to do, as they could only manage fourth and sixth respectively. The final of the title-challenging quintet, Jack Aitken, suffered a torrid evening, which saw him require a replacement front wing and eventually stutter to 12th.

For full results and more news, visit the official F2 website.