Formula 1 in Qatar

Sprint race in Qatar from 3pm LIVE

Piastri wins the last sprint race of the year.(Bild: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Lando Norris has gifted his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri victory in the sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix. The British pole-setter let the 23-year-old Australian past a few meters from the finish line on Saturday, allowing Piastri to triumph in the short race in Lusail, just as he did last year. Mercedes driver George Russell completed the podium, while Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen had to settle for eighth place in his Red Bull.

McLaren extended its lead in the constructors' championship with the one-two victory over Ferrari, with the British team now 30 points ahead of the Scuderia. Carlos Sainz finished fourth, directly ahead of Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari. Verstappen, who has been a four-time champion since last weekend in Las Vegas, scored one point for the championship standings. His Mexican team-mate Sergio Perez finished last, meaning that the Austro racing team is already 67 points behind. The penultimate Grand Prix of the season will be held on Sunday, with qualifying taking place on Saturday at 19:00.

Norris ignored the team's instructions
"I've been planning to do that since Brazil. I thought that would be appropriate. The team told me not to do it. But I'm not here to win the sprints, I'm here to win the main races," said Norris, alluding to the wet race in Sao Paulo when Piastri let his teammate, who was still in the championship fight at the time, past. "Great teamwork," Piastri thanked him.

Norris easily defended his leading position at the start of the short 19-lap race. Behind him, Piastri passed second-placed Russell, while Verstappen lost three positions and slipped back to ninth. At the front, McLaren maintained the one-two lead as Norris slowed down a little, allowing his colleague to use DRS support on the long start-finish straight. This allowed Piastri to fend off Russell's attacks, once at the limit of what was allowed. "Without this help, it would have been difficult for me," emphasized Piastri.