Norris pays his debt to Brazil and offers the Sprint to Piastri: "I'm not here to win Sprints, but Grand Prix and titles"

What a strange scene in this last lap of the Sprint in Qatar! Starting from pole position, Lando Norris led every lap of the race… until the final corner, before slowing down just before the finish line and letting Oscar piastri to give him the victory this Saturday. A scene that is not without recalling that of Brazil, where the roles were then reversed: the Australian, who led the Sprint in São Paulo, had then let his teammate pass who was still in the running for the Drivers' title.

Now that the world crown has been obtained by Max Verstappen, Lando Norris was able to pay his debt to Oscar Piastri by giving him the Sprint victory at Losail. A risky maneuver executed at the last second and with perfect timing, since George Russell finished just two tenths behind his compatriot! A change of position that changes nothing in terms of the Constructors' Championship, since McLaren signs the double.

Lando Norris (McLaren), 2nd in the Sprint in Qatar : “We got a double, that was our goal today with maximum points, so we are happy. We executed perfectly. The pace was good, I probably could have pushed a bit more but we wanted to keep the others behind so I tried to help [Oscar Piastri] not to let George [Russell] get too close. We did the job, that’s the main thing.”

“It was maybe closer than I expected! But I wanted to do it since Brazil. I did what I thought was best. It’s maybe a bit strange… the team told me not to do it, but I felt we could do it and we did it. Honestly, I don’t mind. I’m not here to win Sprint races, but Grands Prix and titles, even if it didn’t go as planned! I did the best I could and I’m looking forward to tomorrow!”

ALSO READ > Grand seigneur, Lando Norris offers the sprint victory to Oscar Piastri