Oscar Piastri let title-chasing Lando Norris by way of to win the Dash and provides his McLaren team-mate a probably essential additional level in his championship chase towards Max Verstappen on the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
With Verstappen ending third – however underneath investigation by the stewards for an alleged Digital Security Automotive infringement on the ultimate lap behind Piastri – after overtaking Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc late on, Norris has trimmed his Crimson Bull rival’s lead within the Drivers’ Championship by two to 45 factors forward of Sunday’s important race – for which the Dutchman carries a five-place grid penalty for an engine change.
Having urged after qualifying forward of Norris on Dash pole that he could be keen to cede the Saturday win to his team-mate, Piastri led the race’s first 21 laps earlier than duly letting the Briton by way of down Interlagos’ again straight in a choreographed change of place overseen by the McLaren pit wall.
“Not proud about it, but we worked well as a team together, so I thank Oscar,” mentioned Norris. “We’ve done a great job as a team. Today was the result that we wanted. Oscar deserved it, but we did what we had to do.”
Simply earlier than that change, Verstappen had began to look as if he might threaten Norris’ second place and McLaren’s one-two having overtaken Leclerc into Flip 4 on lap 18 after a race-long pursuit of the Ferrari driver lastly paid off.
With Norris quickly eased by way of to the lead, Verstappen in the end completed on Piastri’s tail for second place.
Nonetheless, the Dutchman’s third place is in danger in a stewards’ investigation forward of important qualifying at 6pm over an alleged Digital Security Automotive infringement from the Crimson Bull driver on the ultimate lap when he drew up partially alongside Piastri earlier than Flip 4 simply because the controlled-speed interval was poised to finish.
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Karun Chandhok was on the SkyPad to evaluate whether or not Max Verstappen’s tried overtake on Oscar Piastri was truthful after the digital security automobile ended.
Beneath a VSC – which was referred to as right here when Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas stopped in what was deemed a harmful place along with the observe – all drivers have to stick to a mandated time on their steering wheel, designed to maintain the gaps as they have been earlier than the warning interval with out the necessity for a full bodily Security Automotive earlier than racing resumes.
Verstappen didn’t overtake the McLaren after which appeared to drop again to re-establish his earlier deficit as soon as the VSC ended, however stewards will now decide whether or not that also constitutes any form of penalty.
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Oscar Piastri held on to the lead from McLaren team-mate Lando Norris on the opening lap of the Dash on the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
With Leclerc having to accept fourth after Ferrari’s race tempo of latest races didn’t materialise as anticipated, Carlos Sainz was fifth within the sister automobile with George Russell sixth within the lead Mercedes.
Pierre Gasly held his grid place of seventh to offer Alpine two essential additional factors amid their disappointing season, whereas Sergio Perez lastly had one thing to smile about within the second Crimson Bull as he raced nicely from thirteenth to the ultimate Dash level in eighth. Perez’s restoration from his Dash Qualifying disappointment included a transfer on RB’s Liam Lawson into Flip One, every week after the pair had a heated battle on-track in Mexico.
Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of factors from an early qualifying exit, nevertheless, fell flat after a poor begin dropped him from eleventh to 14th on lap one. Hamilton ended up recovering his grid place, however that was nonetheless three locations exterior of the points-paying positions and he’ll now hope for higher as consideration turns to the principle occasion of Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Extra to comply with…
Sky Sports activities F1’s reside Sao Paulo GP schedule
Saturday November 2
5pm: Sao Paulo Qualifying build-up
6pm: Sao Paulo GP Qualifying
8pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday November 3
3.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Sao Paulo GP build-up
5pm: THE SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX
7pm: Chequered Flag: Sao Paulo GP response
8pm: Ted’s Pocket book
Method 1’s Americas triple header concludes this weekend with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with each session reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
