Lando Norris has taken victory in the Sprint at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with McLaren opting to switch their drivers two laps from the finish which allowed the Briton to lead team mate Oscar Piastri in a one-two result.
Piastri enjoyed a strong start when the lights went out, drawing clear of Norris while Max Verstappen tried to chase Charles Leclerc for third. But as the 24-lap event headed towards its close, the squad opted to put championship hopeful Norris in front, handing him the maximum of eight points.
Verstappen completed the top three behind them, the Red Bull crossing the line hot on the tail of Piastri – though the Dutchman was noted for a Virtual Safety Car infringement afterwards – while Charles Leclerc took fourth for Ferrari ahead of team mate Carlos Sainz in fifth.
Mercedes’ George Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly were sixth and seventh, with Sergio Perez working his way forwards to add to Red Bull’s tally in eighth.
Following just one practice session on Friday, Sprint Qualifying took place later in the day to decide the grid for the 24-lap, 100km dash, in which points would be awarded to the top eight finishers from a maximum of eight for P1 down to one for P8.
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