Formula 1: First sprint win for Norris thanks to stable order

Lando Norris wins the sprint race at the São Paulo Grand Prix. The Briton benefits from the stable order in the McLaren team.

It took until the third-to-last lap for what was expected and what had been agreed within the team to happen. Oscar Piastri, who had started from pole position in the other McLaren, allowed his team-mate to pass him. Norris can use every point in the battle for the world title against Max Verstappen.

The world champion in the Red Bull finished third after a successful overtaking maneuver against the Monegasque Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari on the third-last lap. Verstappen’s lead in the overall standings over Norris, who triumphed for the first time in a test over the shortened distance, was thus reduced by just 2 points to 45.

The Sauber team drivers again came away empty-handed. The Finn Valtteri Bottas and the Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu had no chance in the battle for the top eight positions that earn points in the sprint races. Bottas and Zhou finished 16th and 17th respectively.

SDA