Motorsport

Lando Norris takes sprint race win in Brazil as Oscar Piastri moves aside

Norris now trails championship leader Max Verstappen by 45 points with 132 to play for.

Lando Norris won the sprint race in Brazil (Ettore Chiereguini/AP)
Lando Norris won the sprint race in Brazil (Ettore Chiereguini/AP) (Ettore Chiereguini/AP)
By Philip Duncan, PA F1 Correspondent, Sao Paulo

Lando Norris took another two points out of Max Verstappen’s championship lead after he won Saturday’s sprint race at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Pole-sitter Oscar Piastri obeyed a team order from McLaren to move aside for Norris on lap 22 of 24 at Interlagos, with Verstappen finishing third.

Norris’ victory takes him 45 points behind Verstappen with 132 points still available.

Norris enjoyed a strong getaway, with Piastri moving to his left to keep his McLaren team-mate behind. Verstappen started from fourth and locked up under braking for the opening corner but he managed to get his Red Bull to stop in time.

Piastri led with Norris tucked in behind and Charles Leclerc was forced to defend to his left to stop Verstappen from coming through at the first corner. Verstappen had another bite at Turn 4 but Leclerc remained ahead.

On lap five, Norris was on the radio in a reminder to McLaren to usher Piastri out of his way. “I am close,” he said. “We understand,” came his race engineer Will Joseph’s response.

Norris continued to trail Piastri with no sign of the Australian budging. Norris was back on the intercom again.

“I am not sure what we are doing here, mate,” he said. “I thought we spoke about this.”

Still, there was no sign of Piastri making way. By lap eight, Piastri was out of DRS range, and suddenly Norris had Leclerc occupying his McLaren mirrors with Verstappen on the Ferrari’s gearbox.

Oscar Piastri, bottom, led McLaren team-mate Lando Norris for much of the Brazilian Grand Prix sprint race (Ettore Chiereguini)
Oscar Piastri, bottom, led McLaren team-mate Lando Norris for much of the Brazilian Grand Prix sprint race (Ettore Chiereguini) (Ettore Chiereguini/AP)

Piastri was then urged to “give Lando DRS” in order to help his team-mate fend off Leclerc and Verstappen.

Piastri duly obliged and Norris was able to move out of Leclerc’s clutches. All eyes were on the McLaren pit wall. When would they move Piastri aside?

“Suggest Red A 4,” Norris was told, with the Englishman replying: “Yes, I will overtake.”

Norris was then informed that the trade of positions would take place on the concluding lap, with Piastri urged to “not make it difficult if Lando attacks”.

With six laps to go, Verstappen then swept Leclerc aside for third, and with Norris 1.6 sec up the road the triple world champion was urge to chase the McLaren duo.

On lap 22, Piastri moved out of Norris’ way on the run down to the fourth corner before the Virtual Safety Car was deployed after Nico Hulkenberg parked up his Haas.

The VSC period ended on the final lap with Verstappen aiming a lunge on Piastri at Turn 4 but the Australian held firm as McLaren completed a one-two finish.

“I am not proud about it, but we worked well as a team so thanks to Oscar,” said Norris.

“Oscar deserved it (the win) but we did what we had to do so I thank him and the team.”

Verstappen crossed the line in third but the Dutchman faces an investigation for an infringement under the VSC.

Qualifying for Sunday’s main event takes place at 3pm local time (6pm GMT).