Lando Norris led McLaren to a one-two finish in the 2024 Brazilian GP Sprint Race with Oscar Piastri following team orders letting his teammate through two laps from the end at Interlagos in a bid to help the Brit in the 2024 F1 Drivers’ Championship.
This strategic shift allowed Norris to secure maximum points, enhancing his championship campaign. Initially, it was Piastri who surged ahead at the race start, with Max Verstappen giving chase to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in a closely contested race for third.
As the sprint neared its end, McLaren chose to prioritize Norris, positioning him in front to gain crucial points, ultimately leading to a one-two finish for the team.
Verstappen completed the race in third – before being demoted to fourth – following Piastri closely, with Leclerc finishing fourth, but was handed third after a Verstappen penalty and Carlos Sainz taking fifth for Ferrari.
“Not proud about it but we worked well as a team together so I thank Oscar,” Norris said after the Sprint. “We’ve done a great job as a team.
“Today was the result that we wanted. Oscar deserved it but we’re doing what we have to do, so I thank him and the team. We had great pace so I’m looking forward to qualifying and the race tomorrow.”
More from the Singapore GP
Catch up with Total Motorsport's latest Singapore GP coverage, including Max Verstappen's victory at Marina Bay, Ferrari's costly strategy gamble, the full race classification, and the updated 2026 Formula 1 Drivers' and Constructors' Championship standings.
Early frustration for Norris
As the lights went out, Piastri quickly pulled ahead, setting a solid pace with Norris close behind. Verstappen tried to challenge Leclerc for third but was unable to pass, forcing him to hold his position.
Sergio Perez made notable gains, moving up the ranks early on, while Nico Hulkenberg engaged in a tussle with Ollie Bearman further back. By Lap 6, Norris had closed the gap on Piastri and, over the team radio, questioned the race strategy.
“I’m not sure what we are doing here, I thought we spoke about this,” Norris expressed, indicating the team’s plans were unclear. McLaren advised him to keep pace, knowing the race wasn’t over yet.
As the race continued, Norris remained within striking distance, but his radio comments highlighted some confusion about the team’s strategy. At the same time, Perez advanced into eighth, overtaking Liam Lawson, with Hulkenberg’s Haas retiring due to mechanical trouble in Lap 22, which led to a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) phase to clear his car.
McLaren made their pivotal move just before the VSC period, switching Piastri and Norris to let the former take the lead. As the VSC ended just before the final lap, Piastri had to defend his position against Verstappen, who closed in quickly.
Despite the pressure, Piastri held his ground, securing second behind Norris, with Verstappen in third. The Red Bull driver, however, was handed a five-second penalty following an investigation by Brazilian GP stewards for failing to stay above the minimum time during the virtual safety car (VSC) period.
