Norris Claims Brazilian F1 Sprint Win for McLaren, Verstappen Penalized After L…read more
Lando Norris emerged victorious in the 2024 Brazilian F1 sprint race, securing a 1-2 finish for McLaren after a strategic exchange with teammate Oscar Piastri late in the race. Max Verstappen, who briefly disrupted McLaren’s lead, was ultimately penalized, dropping him to fourth.
Piastri led the field from pole, defending hard against Norris as the sprint kicked off at Interlagos. Behind them, Verstappen attempted a move on Charles Leclerc but locked up, delaying his progress. With the McLarens battling at the front, Verstappen set his sights on third, engaging in a tense chase with Leclerc before overtaking him on lap 18.
Throughout much of the race, McLaren wrestled with the delicate task of maintaining their positions while fending off Verstappen. On the radio, Norris expressed frustration as he struggled to stay within DRS range of Piastri. McLaren responded with a clever strategy, asking Piastri to allow Norris into his DRS to increase their overall pace against their rivals. However, the battle was only settled when, on lap 22 of the 24-lap sprint, Piastri yielded the lead on the straight down to Turn 4, putting Norris at the front.
This maneuver placed Piastri within Verstappen’s reach, but a sudden Virtual Safety Car (VSC) neutralized the threat. A brief break followed as Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas rolled to a stop on the hill with an exhaust issue, prompting the VSC. With only one lap left after the VSC lifted, Verstappen mounted one last attempt on Piastri but failed to get by, securing McLaren’s one-two.
Post-race, it was revealed that Verstappen had been noted for a possible VSC breach. Officials penalized him five seconds for violating the minimum time at the end of the VSC, as he gained on Piastri by 0.63 seconds. This penalty relegated Verstappen to fourth, preserving McLaren’s top-two finish without incident.
The Brazilian sprint saw McLaren execute precise team orders, even amid tension between their drivers, to maintain their position over Verstappen’s Red Bull. Norris’ win not only highlighted McLaren’s rise in form but also showcased the strategic coordination required to fend off championship leaders under high pressure.
