Oscar Piastri was gifted the Qatar Grand Prix sprint victory by Lando Norris, who controlled the race with a tactical drive to boost McLaren’s chances of sealing Formula 1’s constructors’ championship.
Norris ensured Piastri remained second by staying within DRS range, which allowed the Australian to repel an effervescent George Russell throughout the 19-lap race.
Having looked to have sealed the victory, Norris then let Piastri through at the finish line to allow his younger team-mate to claim the sprint win – and admitted that he’d long planned to pay Piastri back for giving up the sprint win in Brazil.
Norris had shrugged off the pressure of starting from pole and led the way in Turn 1, leaving fellow front-row starter Russell in the clutches of Piastri; the Melburnian hung his McLaren around the outside and held the favoured line for Turn 2 to complete the move.
With Norris slinking off into an early lead, Piastri came under renewed pressure from Russell when the Mercedes driver collected DRS. This prompted Piastri to defend at the start of the third and fourth laps, to the Las Vegas winner’s chagrin.
Norris then backed off to keep Piastri in DRS range, ensuring that the #81 car had more tools to contain Russell over the rest of the race.
It got to a point where Norris admitted to struggling with his front tyres, and asked if he should continue to help Piastri stay in his wake; McLaren responded in the affirmative, and thus Norris continued to aid McLaren’s claim to a 1-2 finish.
Piastri didn’t manage to get DRS in the final lap, which opened him up to a final Russell assault, but the eventual winner held firm – and then moved past a slowing Norris at the line to pick up the win.
More to follow…
|
