Norris cuts Verstappen's lead with Brazilian sprint win

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.

Piastri led with Norris tucked in behind and Charles Leclerc was forced to defend to his left to stop Verstappen from coming through at the first corner. Verstappen had another bite at Turn 4 but Leclerc remained ahead.

On lap five, Norris was on the radio in a reminder to McLaren to usher Piastri out of his way. "I am close," he said. "We understand," came his race engineer Will Joseph’s response.

Norris continued to trail Piastri with no sign of the Australian budging. Norris was back on the intercom again.

"I am not sure what we are doing here, mate," he said. "I thought we spoke about this."

Still, there was no sign of Piastri making way. By lap eight, Piastri was out of DRS range, and suddenly Norris had Leclerc occupying his McLaren mirrors with Verstappen on the Ferrari’s gearbox.

Piastri was then urged to "give Lando DRS" in order to help his team-mate fend off Leclerc and Verstappen.

Piastri duly obliged and Norris was able to move out of Leclerc’s clutches. All eyes were on the McLaren pit wall. When would they move Piastri aside?

"Suggest Red A 4," Norris was told, with the Englishman replying: "Yes, I will