Formula 1 Media | November 2, 2024
Lando Norris has taken victory in the Sprint at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with McLaren opting to switch their drivers two laps from the finish which allowed the Briton to lead team mate Oscar Piastri in a one-two result.
Piastri enjoyed a strong start when the lights went out, drawing clear of Norris while Max Verstappen tried to chase Charles Leclerc for third. But as the 24-lap event headed towards its close, the squad opted to put championship hopeful Norris in front, handing him the maximum of eight points.
Verstappen completed the top three behind them, the Red Bull crossing the line hot on the tail of Piastri – though the Dutchman was noted for a Virtual Safety Car infringement afterwards – while Charles Leclerc took fourth for Ferrari ahead of team mate Carlos Sainz in fifth.
Mercedes’ George Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly were sixth and seventh, with Sergio Perez working his way forwards to add to Red Bull’s tally in eighth.
Following just one practice session on Friday, Sprint Qualifying took place later in the day to decide the grid for the 24-lap, 100km dash, in which points would be awarded to the top eight finishers from a maximum of eight for P1 down to one for P8.
FORMULA 1 LENOVO GRANDE PRÊMIO DE SÃO PAULO 2024 – Sprint Results
|
POS |
NO |
DRIVER |
CAR |
LAPS |
TIME/RETIRED |
PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
4 |
Lando Norris |
McLaren Mercedes |
24 |
29:46.045 |
8 |
|
2 |
81 |
Oscar Piastri |
McLaren Mercedes |
24 |
+0.593s |
7 |
|
3 |
1 |
Max Verstappen |
Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT |
24 |
+1.497s |
6 |
|
4 |
16 |
Charles Leclerc |
Ferrari |
24 |
+5.656s |
5 |
|
5 |
55 |
Carlos Sainz |
Ferrari |
24 |
+7.224s |
4 |
|
6 |
63 |
George Russell |
Mercedes |
24 |
+12.475s |
3 |
|
7 |
10 |
Pierre Gasly |
Alpine Renault |
24 |
+18.161s |
2 |
|
8 |
11 |
Sergio Perez |
Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT |
24 |
+18.717s |
1 |
|
9 |
30 |
Liam Lawson |
RB Honda RBPT |
24 |
+20.773s |
0 |
|
10 |
23 |
Alexander Albon |
Williams Mercedes |
24 |
+24.606s |
0 |
|
11 |
44 |
Lewis Hamilton |
Mercedes |
24 |
+29.764s |
0 |
|
12 |
43 |
Franco Colapinto |
Williams Mercedes |
24 |
+33.233s |
0 |
|
13 |
31 |
Esteban Ocon |
Alpine Renault |
24 |
+34.128s |
0 |
|
14 |
50 |
Oliver Bearman |
Haas Ferrari |
24 |
+35.507s |
0 |
|
15 |
22 |
Yuki Tsunoda |
RB Honda RBPT |
24 |
+41.374s |
0 |
|
16 |
77 |
Valtteri Bottas |
Kick Sauber Ferrari |
24 |
+43.231s |
0 |
|
17 |
24 |
Zhou Guanyu |
Kick Sauber Ferrari |
24 |
+54.139s |
0 |
|
18 |
14 |
Fernando Alonso |
Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes |
24 |
+56.537s |
0 |
|
19 |
18 |
Lance Stroll |
Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes |
24 |
+57.983s |
0 |
|
NC |
27 |
Nico Hulkenberg |
Haas Ferrari |
19 |
DNF |
0 |
Norris had looked on course to claim pole for the event throughout Sprint Qualifying, the McLaren driver setting the pace during SQ1 and SQ2. However, it was team mate Piastri who surged ahead in SQ3 to take P1 on the grid in the final moments, demoting Norris down to second.
Ahead of the Sprint, it was confirmed that some changes had been made to the starting order. The Aston Martin pair of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, along with Kick Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu – all of whom failed to progress beyond SQ1 – would start from the pit lane after changes were made to their cars under parc ferme conditions.
When the tyre blankets came off prior to the formation lap, it was revealed that all 20 drivers would be starting on the medium compound, with most having bolted on tyres that were previously used in Sprint Qualifying while Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson had opted for a fresh set.
As the lights went out in warm and dry conditions at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Piastri made a smooth launch from pole to immediately stretch out a gap from team mate Norris, while Verstappen looked to make a move on Leclerc but the Ferrari driver maintained position by holding the racing line.
Formula 1 Media | Photo: Formula 1
