Lando Norris led his teammate Oscar Piastri to win the Sao Paulo Grand Prix Sprint after late McLaren team orders came to play aiding the former make ground in the championship battle against Max Verstappen.
The victory was crucial in narrowing the gap in the championship standings against reigning champion Max Verstappen, who faced challenges of his own during the race.
The 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix Sprint race took place at the iconic Interlagos circuit, known for its vibrant atmosphere and passionate fans, adding to the excitement of this pivotal moment in the season.
The race consisted of 24 laps and began with Oscar Piastri starting from pole position after a strong qualifying session. As the lights went out, Piastri quickly established himself as the leader, pulling away from Lando Norris who started alongside him on the front row.
Behind them, Verstappen was engaged in a fierce battle with Charles Leclerc for third place. The early laps saw Piastri demonstrating exceptional pace, while Norris remained close behind, setting up what would become a thrilling contest between the two McLaren teammates.
As the race unfolded, it became clear that McLaren had a strategic plan in mind considering Norris was contending for crucial championship points, therefore team orders were anticipated.
On lap 22, just two laps from the finish, McLaren team orders were executed instructing Piastri to let Norris pass, a move that turned out to be pivotal as it allowed Norris to take the lead and secure maximum points from the sprint race.
The timing of this driver switch coincided with a late Virtual Safety Car (VSC) deployment caused by Nico Hülkenberg’s Haas car coming to a halt on track due to a mechanical issue. The situation added an element of tension as it allowed Verstappen to close in on both McLarens after he had overtaken Leclerc for third place earlier in the race.
However, Verstappen’s efforts were complicated by a subsequent investigation into his driving during the VSC period, where he was noted for exceeding speed limits while following Piastri.
As racing resumed with only one lap remaining, Lando Norris found himself under pressure from Verstappen, who was eager to capitalize on any mistakes. However, he managed to maintain his composure and fend off any challenges from behind.
Piastri also had to defend against Verstappen’s advances but ultimately held onto second place as they crossed the finish line.
The final results saw Norris finishing first, followed by Piastri in second and Verstappen relegated to fourth after receiving a five-second penalty for his VSC infringement.
Lando Norris’ victory reduced Verstappen’s championship lead to 44 points with just four races remaining in the season. The outcome also reinforced McLaren’s position in the Constructors’ Championship, where they now hold a substantial lead over Ferrari.
Charles Leclerc finished fourth but later promoted to third after battling hard against Verstappen before ultimately losing out due to his rival’s late surge and subsequent penalty.
Carlos Sainz completed a solid outing for Ferrari by finishing fifth, while George Russell secured sixth place for Mercedes ahead of Pierre Gasly in seventh and Sergio Pérez rounding out the points-paying positions in eighth.
Visa Cash App RB’s Liam Lawson and Williams’ Alex Albon rounded out the top-10.
The 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix Sprint race marked an important chapter in what has been an exhilarating 2024 Formula 1 season. With each event bringing new challenges and opportunities for drivers and teams alike, fans are eagerly looking forward to what lies ahead at Interlagos and beyond.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s main race, both McLaren drivers will be aiming to build on their momentum from this sprint victory while Verstappen will be keen to redeem himself after facing penalties that could impact his starting position.
The stage is set for another thrilling chapter in this year’s championship battle as teams prepare for qualifying sessions that will determine their grid positions for the Grand Prix.
