Lando Norris went against McLaren to "return the favour" to Oscar Piastri in Qatar sprint.
Lando Norris explains his decision to hand Oscar Piastri the sprint race victory in Qatar.
30 Nov 2024
Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

Lando Norris has revealed he rejected instructions from McLaren as he let Oscar Piastri take the sprint race victory at the F1 Qatar Grand Prix. On the approach to the finish line, Norris lifted off and allowed Piastri to overtake, giving the Australian an unlikely victory.

It seems Norris’ decision to hand Piastri the win stems from a similar situation in the Brazil sprint race. “It was probably a bit closer than what I was wanting, but I planned to do it since Brazil, yeah, just what I thought was best, probably a bit sketchy,” Norris explained.

“The team told me not to do it, but I thought I could get away with it and we did, so honestly I don’t mind, I’m not here to win sprint races, I’m here to win races and a championship – but that’s not gone to plan you know, so I did the best we could and I look forward to tomorrow.”

"Return the favour";

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/106095...n-qatar-sprint


Qatar GP: F1 Sprint Results
Full results from the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail.
1 Dec 2024
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Full results from the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail.

Pos Num Driver Team Laps/Diff
1 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 19
2 4 Lando Norris McLaren 0.136
3 63 George Russell Mercedes 0.41
4 55 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 1.326
5 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 5.073
6 44 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 5.65
7 27 Nico Hulkenberg Haas 8.508
8 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 10.368
9 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 14.513
10 20 Kevin Magnussen Haas 15.485

‘Full results’;

https://speedcafe.com/qatar-gp-f1-sprint-results/


Oscar Piastri Wins Qatar Grand Prix Sprint As McLaren Widen Gap On Ferrari
Oscar Piastri was gifted victory by his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris in Saturday's sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Nov 30, 2024
Agence France-Presse

Oscar Piastri was gifted victory by his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris in Saturday's sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix as the British team consolidated their bid for the constructors' title for the first time since 1998 with a 1-2 triumph. In an example of perfect teamwork, Norris led from pole to flag before slowing to allow Piastri to win by 0.136 seconds ahead of Mercedes' George Russell in third.

The result secured 15 points for McLaren in their bid to resist Ferrari, extending their advantage to 34 points with two Grands Prix remaining. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz finished fourth ahead of team-mate Charles Leclerc, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes and Haas' Nico Hulkenberg, Max Verstappen, Pierre Gasly of Alpine and Kevin Magnussen in the second Haas.

‘McLaren Widen Gap On Ferrari’;

https://sports.ndtv.com/formula-1/os...errari-7142614


How McLaren can clinch F1 constructors' title at the Qatar GP
Nov 30, 2024
The Race

McLaren will head into Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix with its first shot at sealing the 2024 Formula 1 constructors' title. The McLarens will start third (Lando Norris) and fourth (Oscar Piastri) on Sunday, behind a front row of Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Mercedes' George Russell.

After Piastri and Norris finished first and second in Saturday's Lusail sprint, McLaren heads Ferrari by 30 points and Red Bull by 67 points (with 88 points available).

Only a total Sunday meltdown from McLaren would get Red Bull anywhere near in range to be still in contention for Abu Dhabi. And while Ferrari is in a much better position to keep this title fight going until the final round, McLaren holds all the aces and could seal the deal at Lusail.

‘Clinch F1 constructors' title’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/h...ship-qatar-gp/


Verstappen: "Rally car" Red Bull was undriveable in Qatar GP sprint
Recently crowned F1 world champion joked he'd have more luck competing with father Jos at this weekend's Spa Rally
30 Nov 2024
Jake Boxall-Legge
Ronald Vording
Motorsport.com

Speaking about his low-key race, Verstappen stated that his balance was out of the window and that he particularly struggled at the start with cold tyres. "I just had no grip. The balance is terrible. On cold tyres you suffer even more from that. It felt like a rally car," Verstappen told Viaplay.

"I think I would have been better off competing with my father [Jos] at Spa in a rally - we would have had a better chance of being competitive over there, I think. It's really terrible, it was undriveable.”

"We can change a lot of things [before qualifying], but we can't fix the problem. I don't know. We will change some things, but I don't expect miracles."

“Undriveable”

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/v...rint/10677955/