Oscar Piastri Wins Qatar Grand Prix Sprint As McLaren Widen Gap On Ferrari

Oscar Piastri was gifted victory by his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris in Saturday's sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix as the British team consolidated their bid for the constructors' title for the first time since 1998 with a 1-2 triumph. In an example of perfect teamwork, Norris led from pole to flag before slowing to allow Piastri to win by 0.136 seconds ahead of Mercedes' George Russell in third. The result secured 15 points for McLaren in their bid to resist Ferrari, extending their advantage to 34 points with two Grands Prix remaining. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz finished fourth ahead of team-mate Charles Leclerc, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes and Haas' Nico Hulkenberg, Max Verstappen, Pierre Gasly of Alpine and Kevin Magnussen in the second Haas. 

"It was defence all the way the whole race for me," said Piastri. "I had a good start and then Turn One, but not the pace I needed and then I was struggling, but it was great teamwork and a great McLaren 1-2!"

Norris said he had disobeyed the team to give Piastri his victory as his payback for the Australian's assistance at the Brazilian Grand Prix sprint when he was hoping to keep alive his bid for the drivers' title and Piastri gave him the victory.  

"We scored the 1-2 we were aiming for and we have maximum points so I am happy for the team… Perfectly-executed! We did our job. It ended a bit closer than I wanted, but I had this planned since Brazil and it's what I wanted. The team told me not to do it, but I did it the best way I could."

Russell said: "We were very close in T1 a couple of times, but Lando backing up to help Oscar with DRS… It was pretty infuriating to be honest, but I understand why."

The race was preceded by much paddock