Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title

Mercedes’ British driver George Russell (R,) McLaren’s Australian driver Oscar Piastri (R), McLaren’s British driver Lando Norris (L) and Ferrari’s Spanish driver Carlos Sainz Jr. (back) race during the sprint race ahead of the Qatari F1 Grand Prix at the Lusail International Circuit in Lusail, on Nov. 30, 2024. (AFP)

Norris started on pole position and kept the lead at the start as Piastri squeezed past the Mercedes of George Russell for second

LUSAIL, Qatar: McLaren neared its first Formula 1 constructors’ title in 26 years as Lando Norris handed Oscar Piastri victory in a one-two finish for the team in the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix on Saturday.
Norris started on pole position and kept the lead at the start as Piastri squeezed past the Mercedes of George Russell for second.
Norris gave the lead to Piastri with the finish line in sight, paying his teammate back for gifting him a win in the sprint race in Brazil when Norris was still fighting Max Verstappen for the drivers’ title. Russell finished third.
Verstappen — crowned the drivers’ champion last week in Las Vegas — finished eighth and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez was last after a pit stop to change his car’s nose.
Qualifying takes place later Saturday for Sunday’s Grand Prix race.