Norris heads McLaren one-two in Sao Paulo F1 Sprint
Lando Norris headed a McLaren one-two at the Sao Paulo F1 Sprint, with championship leader Max Verstappen finishing third in the 24-lap race. F1Technical's lead journalist Balazs Szabo reports on the fifth sprint race of the season.
Having set the benchmark with a late push lap in yesterday’s sprint qualifying, McLaren driver Oscar Piastri started the race from the pole position ahead of his team-mate Lando Norris.
The Australian had a great getaway, and managed to hold on to the lead, with Norris, Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz lining up behind.
After just a single lap, the two McLarens managed to build up a healthy gap from Leclerc, while championship leader Verstappen had a look into Turn 1 as he attempted an overtaking move on the Monegasque.
On Lap 6, Leclerc picked up his pace to close in on Norris, with the gap between the two dropping down to just 1.2 seconds. In the meantime, the Dutch driver dropped out of DRS range behind.
Two laps later, Norris dropped back from Piastri to cool his overheating tyres, while Leclerc and Verstappen closed in on him. McLaren reacted quickly, asking Piastri to “give Lando DRS”.
In the meantime, Oliver Bearman, who stepped in to replace the unwell Kevin Magnussen, overtook his team-mate Nico Hulkenberg.
With the German being very fair with the Ferrari junior, Sergio Perez used the opportunity to make the jump on him. The Mexican quickly closed in on Bearman as well, and managed to pick off the British driver on the next lap.
Two laps later, Perez managed to get within DRS of his fierce rival Liam Lawson. The Mexican overtook the New Zealander into Turn 1, but he outbraked himself which allowed the RB racer to regain the spot. However, the Red Bull driver made a successful move on the newcomer on Lap 17.
The next lap saw Verstappen overtake Leclerc into Turn 1, as the Monegasque started to struggle with his overheating rear tyres.
With McLaren recognizing that their drivers are in danger because of the fast-approaching Verstappen, Piastri was asked by his race engineer Tom Stallard to swap position with Norris.
In the meantime, the virtual safety car was deployed after Nico Hulkenberg came to a halt with his engine producing smoke.
The VSC ended on the last lap, and although Verstappen was all over the back of Piastri’s McLaren, he did not get a chance to attempt an overtaking manoeuvre.
With Norris securing the win, the Briton pulled a couple more points on Verstappen, reducing the gap to 45.
