Sao Paulo GP sprint: Lando Norris wins after McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastre drops position, Max Verstappen third

Oscar Piastre allowed title contender Lando Norris to win the sprint to give his McLaren team-mate an extra point in his championship chase against Max Verstappen at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

With Verstappen finishing third but under investigation for an alleged virtual safety car violation on the final lap behind Piastri after passing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc late on, Norris cut his Red Bull rival’s lead in the Drivers’ Championship to 45 points ahead of Sunday’s main event competition race – for which the Dutchman carries a five-place penalty for an engine change.

Having suggested after qualifying on sprint pole that he would be willing to concede Saturday’s victory to Norris, Piastre led the opening 21 laps of the race before duly passing Norris right down the back of Interlagos in a choreographed change of position under the watchful eye of the McLaren pit wall.

Verstappen found himself right on Piastre’s tail after a race for Leclerc eventually saw the Red Bull driver pass the Monegasque a few laps earlier.

But Verstappen faces a stewards’ investigation ahead of main qualifying at 6pm for an alleged VSC breach believed to be linked to him running right on Piastri’s tail as the controlled speed period ended midway through the final lap and he nearly overtook McLaren.

Drivers must adhere to a controlled time under the VSC, which was announced after Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas stopped on the side of the track.

With Leclerc having to settle for fourth after Ferrari’s race pace in the final races did not live up to expectations, Carlos Sainz was fifth in the sister car and George Russell sixth in the leading Mercedes.

More to follow…

Sky Sports F1 live schedule of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Saturday, November 2
17:00: Qualifying meeting in Sao Paulo
18:00: Qualifying for the São Paulo Grand Prix
20:00: Ted’s qualification workbook

Sunday, November 3
3:30 p.m.: Sunday’s Grand Prix: Roundup of the São Paulo Grand Prix
17:00: GRAND PRIX OF SAO PAULO
7:00 p.m.: Checkered flag: São Paulo Grand Prix reaction
8:00 p.m.: Ted’s Notebook

Formula 1’s triple-header in the Americas will conclude this weekend with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with every session broadcast on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month subscription – no contract, cancel anytime