Lusail, Nov 29: Oscar Piastri won the Qatar Grand Prix sprint race from pole position Saturday to move 22 points behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris heading into Sunday’s main Formula 1 race. Piastri’s sprint win gave him eight points with seven going to Mercedes driver George Russell in second place. The championship leader Norris took six points for his third-place finish, and Verstappen got five for finishing fourth.
Norris started the sprint from third on the grid and Verstappen from sixth. The Dutchman was let through by his Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda on the first lap but could not get close enough to pressure Norris.
Heading into Sunday’s penultimate race of the season, Norris had 396 points, Piastri 374 and Verstappen 371.
Norris needs to finish four points ahead of Piastri on Sunday to clinch his first F1 title – as long as he is also one point ahead of Verstappen, who is chasing a fifth straight F1 crown.
There is a night-time qualifying session later on Saturday for Sunday’s race.
Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton’s slide continued when he placed 17th. He started from the pit lane after a rear wing change. (AP)
