F1 Brazil GP LIVE: Qualifying delayed due to rain after Max Verstappen receives sprint penalty
F1 live updates as qualifying is delayed due to horrendous weather in Sao Paulo
Lando Norris took another two points out of Max Verstappen’s championship lead after he won Saturday’s sprint race at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Pole-sitter Oscar Piastri obeyed a team order from McLaren to move aside for Norris on lap 22 of 24 at Interlagos, with Verstappen finishing third.
Norris’ victory takes him 45 points behind Verstappen with 132 points still available.
Norris enjoyed a strong getaway, with Piastri moving to his left to keep his McLaren team-mate behind. Verstappen started from fourth and locked up under braking for the opening corner but he managed to get his Red Bull to stop in time.
Follow all the latest updates from the Brazilian Grand Prix with The Independent
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella:
“We were monitoring the gaps before to Leclerc and Verstappen to see if we could execute an easy overtake. The gap never materialised.
“We needed to see the VSC, so we immediately executed. It would not be possible without both drivers, we’re happy with the conversations which are happening right now. The support Oscar gave for Lando.
“Ideally, we’d do it earlier but the situation never materialised. As soon as you swap, there’s a possibility to overtake the McLaren. The team result comes first.”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner on Verstappen’s potential penalty:
“On everything we can see, it looks OK. Let’s see.
“Reading the race, I think the most encouraging thing was the race-pace, it was encouraging.
“There’s some things that we’re starting to understand.”
Start times this weekend in Brazil:
All times GMT
Saturday 2 November
- Qualifying: 6pm
Sunday 3 November
- Race: 5pm
Lando Norris after winning the sprint race:
“Not proud about it but we worked well as a team, thanks to Oscar. Oscar deserved it, we’re doing what we have to do. Looking forward to qualifying.
“It was yo-yo’ing a little bit, I felt a bit quicker but couldn’t pass at the time. We were clearly quicker than the guys behind, we executed it well.”
Norris now 45 points behind Verstappen in the drivers’ championship.
Oscar Piastri after finishing second:
“Great day for the team, a lot of points. We learned a lot for the race tomorrow as well.
“The pace looked OK, Max was very quick at the end. Let’s see, we have a few things we want to improve. We’re in decent shape.”
Max Verstappen after finishing third:
“Quite pleased with that, took some time with Charles. It was promising, a lot of unknowns, today was good.
“I still expect McLaren to be really quick over one lap, hopefully we can limit the damage with the five-place grid penalty I have.”
Max Verstappen under investigation!
Verstappen could be in trouble here!
The stewards have noted a potential VSC infringement - did he go too early in attacking Piastri on the final lap?!
TOP-8 IN THE BRAZIL GP SPRINT RACE:
1. Lando Norris
2. Oscar Piastri
3. Max Verstappen
4. Charles Leclerc
5. Carlos Sainz
6. George Russell
7. Pierre Gasly
8. Sergio Perez
Oscar Piastri on team radio:
“Good day for the team,” says Piastri.
But he’s downbeat, as you can imagine!
F1 Brazil GP LIVE: Lando Norris wins sprint race!
Lando Norris wins the sprint race to cut the gap to Max Verstappen in the championship by two points!
Oscar Piastri holds off Verstappen for second - with a hairy moment on the final lap at turn four - with the Dutchman third!
4-8: Leclerc, Sainz, Russell, Gasly, Perez
Liam Lawson just misses out on points in ninth!
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