[adrotate banner=”10″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.
Sprint Race F1 2024 Brazil – In a high-stakes Sprint Race at the 2024 Brazil GP, Lando Norris took victory ahead of his teammate Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen. All drivers started on medium tires, facing challenging track conditions with a sharp difference between ambient and track temperatures.
The McLarens held strong throughout, with Piastri initially leading until Norris made his move in the final laps during a Virtual Safety Car. Ferrari’s Leclerc and Sainz finished P4 and P5, while Russell, Gasly, and Pérez rounded out the points.
At Lights Out
With clear skies and high humidity, the Sprint Race began smoothly. Piastri, who led from Pole position, had a strong start, while Verstappen attempted to overtake Leclerc for P3 but overshot the braking point, nearly making contact. Fortunately, it was a clean start with no incidents, and both McLarens launched impeccably.
Further back, Hulkenberg gained three positions, while Colapinto, Checo, and Ocon each advanced by one spot.
Verstappen continued pressuring Leclerc, but the Monegasque fiercely defended his position. On Lap 3, Norris clocked the fastest lap, working to pull away from Leclerc, who had already fallen out of DRS range.
Norris Gets Nervous
By Lap 7, Verstappen set the fastest lap and closed in on Leclerc, who now had DRS. This put pressure on Norris, who grew frustrated over the radio, questioning why Piastri hadn’t let him pass as discussed with the team pre-race. With Leclerc and Verstappen closing in, Norris was left without DRS, unable to defend his position.
The team radioed Piastri, asking him to give Norris DRS so he could fend off the charging Ferrari and Red Bull behind him.
Meanwhile, Ollie Bearman overtook his teammate Nico Hulkenberg, only to lose the spot shortly after to Checo, who capitalized on the situation and soon passed Bearman as well, setting his sights on rookie Liam Lawson.
Mid-Race
The train of the two McLarens, Leclerc, and Verstappen continued, with Verstappen relentlessly pressuring the Ferrari driver but still unable to overtake.
Leclerc eventually lost DRS to Norris. Meanwhile, over the McLaren radio, Norris was instructed to hold position until the final lap, with plans to swap places so the British driver could cross the line in P1. Norris, however, replied that he intended to pass sooner.
Further back, Checo and Lawson engaged in a fierce battle for the final points position, with Lawson managing to hold his ground.
Thrilling Final Stint
On Lap 18, Verstappen finally overtook Leclerc and began closing in on Norris, with his team urging him over the radio to catch up. Meanwhile, McLaren informed Piastri that Verstappen was approaching faster than Leclerc.
By Lap 20, Checo managed to pass Lawson, while smoke started to appear from Hulkenberg’s car. A yellow flag came out with three laps to go as Hulkenberg’s car stopped in Sector 2 due to the issue.
On Lap 22, the McLarens swapped positions, with Norris taking the lead. Verstappen closed in on Piastri, who capitalized on the position change to fend him off.
A Virtual Safety Car was deployed with two laps remaining, and just as everyone thought the race would end under VSC, the green flag was waved on the final lap. Verstappen pushed hard but couldn’t get past Piastri.
UPDATE: Stewards are investigating Max Verstappen for a Virtual Safety Car Infringement #F1Sprint #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/sCO26Uo7mt
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 2, 2024
Norris wins the Brazil GP Sprint
Lando Norris crossed the checkered flag in first place, followed by his teammate Piastri, with Verstappen taking the final spot on the podium—and an investigation over Virtual safety Car infringement.
The two Ferraris finished fourth and fifth, while Russell, Gasly, and Checo Pérez rounded off the points.
Now, all eyes turn to Sunday’s main race.
[adrotate banner=”8″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.