Sweden's Felix Rosenqvist takes the 62nd Macao Grand Prix's checkered flag in front of Charles Leclerc of Monaco on Sunday. Photo: Mathew Scott 

Sweden's Felix Rosenqvist celebrates victory at the 62nd Macao Grand Prix on Sunday. Photo: Mathew Scott

Sweden's Felix Rosenqvist grabbed a slice of history on Sunday as he secured back-to-back victories in the Macao Grand Prix.

Driving the SJM Theodore Racing by Prema Powerteam's Dallara-Mercedes, the 24-year-old showed remarkable poise and control as he held off a number of challenges from rival Charles Leclerc of Van Amersfoort Racing before taking the checkered flag to ­become just the second driver since the race turned to Formula Three cars in 1983 to win twice in a row.

"This race is so difficult to win," said Rosenqvist. "Even if you have everything going right behind you still have to put it on the track and also you need to have luck. All those things need to come together. It gets better every time."

Leclerc had twice taken the lead in his Dallara-Volkswagen through the early stages of the race but each time Rosenqvist was able to find a way past his rival and the fans gathered here in their droves cheered him on each time he did.

Joining the pair on the ­podium in third place was British racer Alex Sims driving the Double R Racing's Dallara-­Mercedes.

"At the beginning I felt ­really strong," said Rosenqvist. "Even what Charles took the lead I was confident I could get it back and pull away. If I made one mistake he'd be right there so it was a really tough race."

It's been a huge 12 months for Rosenqvist who followed up his victory in Macao last year with a brilliant title-winning season in the 2015 FIA Formula Three European Championship.

He had started the race in pole position and had been the favorite coming into the 62nd dedition of the event ­after showing blistering speed all through qualifying.

After some early trouble with Leclerc he was able to settle into his groove and in the end had a 1.168-second break over his rival as the flag finally fell after 15 laps.

The 18-year-old Leclerc paid credit where credit was due.

"I'm always quite disappointed when I'm not first," said Leclerc, the European F3 rookie of the year. "We were quite fast at the beginning but Felix was just really fast. I got close but not close enough. "

Best of the Chinese drivers was 19-year-old Macao-born ace Andy Chang Wing-chung who finished in 14th place

in his ­second attempt at the event, while Hong Kong's debut ­driver Matthe Solomon finished 18th.