Henrique Chaves won last night’s race but it was Pietro Fittipaldi who was celebrating the most as he clinched the 2017 title in the World Series Formula V8 3.5.
Fittipaldi, from Brazil, finished the 23-lap sprint at BIC in second place, 1.654 seconds behind the Puerto Rican victor, and it was enough for him to take away the season’s crown with one race remaining in the season today.
Chaves stormed from second on the grid to the chequered flag in 42 minutes 07.489 seconds.
Taking the final podium spot was Frenchman Roy Nissany.
Race two is scheduled to take place today, with Austrian Rene Binder in pole position. It will be the final race of the 2017 championship.
Meanwhile, former champion Zaid Ashkanani won the season-opening race in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.
The Kuwaiti won with a 0.709s gap ahead of Briton Tom Oliphant, while Al Faisal Al Zubai came in third overall 6.675 seconds behind the winner.
All three were competing in the Gold category.
Ashkanani started from pole position and did well to hold on to the lead through the race.
Race two is today at 1.10pm.