Norris hands Piastri Qatar sprint victory for McLaren one-two

Lando Norris gave up triumph successful the Qatar Grand Prix sprint title to team-mate Oscar Piastri arsenic they crossed the statement up of Mercedes’ George Russell.

As a payback for Piastri handing triumph successful the Sao Paulo Grand Prix sprint title to Norris earlier this month, the Briton slowed connected the last consecutive to let the Australian to transverse the statement first.

Norris had led the title from the commencement and helped Piastri take sides from Russell’s attacks.

Russell, who started 2nd but was passed by Piastri astatine Turn Two connected the first lap, threatened the Australian passim the race.

But Norris ensured he measured his gait to springiness Piastri the usage of the DRS overtaking aid, truthful Russell could not rather get adjacent capable to pass.

Norris was handed triumph successful the Brazil sprint by Piastri to boost his title chances, which ended successful Las Vegas past weekend.

He said: “I planned to do it since Brazil. It was astir apt a small spot sketchy - the squad told maine not to do it, but I did. I don’t mind. It’s only a sprint. I’m present to triumph grands prix and world championships.

“We scored a one-two. That’s what we were aiming for. We’re happy arsenic a team. I astir apt could person pushed a small spot much than I was doing but we wanted to support the others down and I was trying to make judge George could not get ahead.”

Piastri said: “It was defence the full race. Just didn’t rather person the pace. Some awesome squad work. Without that help, it would person been a overmuch much difficult sprint.”

“I understand why they did that,” Russell said, “but nevertheless it was beautiful infuriating. Nevertheless, this day is the large one.”

Russell, who will beryllium aiming to return rod for the expansive prix successful qualifying later aft narrowly missing retired successful sprint qualifying connected Friday, made 2 overtaking attempts into Turn One, and each clip felt Piastri had defended excessively late.

McLaren will clinch the constructors’ title this play if they decorativeness one-two successful some the sprint and the expansive prix and declare fastest thigh successful the main title connected Sunday.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was the 4th car successful the starring ‘DRS train’ passim the event.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc fought backmost aft being passed by Lewis Hamilton connected the first thigh to repass the seven-time champion pinch six laps to spell and return 5th up of his early team-mate.

Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg was seventh while caller world champion Max Verstappen took eighth aft falling to ninth connected the first thigh from sixth connected the grid, passed by some Hamilton and Hulkenberg arsenic they battled astir the first 4 corners.