Norris wins Brazilian GP sprint after team orders at McLaren

Lando Norris secured victory in the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix sprint after a decision by McLaren to swap positions between its drivers in the final laps, allowing the Briton to cross the finish line ahead of Oscar Piastri and claim the maximum points.

Piastri, who started from pole position, held onto the lead at the beginning, with Norris following closely while Max Verstappen attempted to move up from fourth place. During the race, the McLarens pulled away from the rest, while Verstappen and Charles Leclerc battled to stay within reach.

On lap 18, Verstappen overtook Leclerc and closed the gap to the McLarens. The pivotal moment came when Nico Hulkenberg retired, prompting the activation of a virtual safety car (VSC). Taking advantage of the situation, McLaren instructed Piastri to yield the position to Norris on lap 22.

The VSC remained until the final lap, preventing a potential overtake attempt by Verstappen. Norris crossed the line with a 0.5-second lead over Piastri, while Verstappen finished third and was placed under review for a maneuver during the VSC phase.

Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finished fourth and fifth, with George Russell as the best-placed Mercedes driver. Pierre Gasly and Sergio Pérez, who climbed from a challenging position, completed the points by finishing seventh and eighth.

2024 Brazilian GP Sprint Results