Lando Norris clinches sprint victory at São Paulo Grand Prix as Oscar Piastri crashes out
Rain fell overnight on the Interlagos circuit, leaving the track damp but sufficiently dry for slick tyres at the start of the sprint race. Lando Norris launched from pole position, followed by rookie driver Antonelli and fellow Australian Oscar Piastri, who had qualified ahead of several championship contenders.
Norris maintained his lead through the opening laps, capitalising on a clean start and the grip advantage of the slicks. Mid‑field battles intensified as Max Verstappen, who had started further back, fought his way up to fifth place, while former world champion Fernando Alonso recovered to finish just behind him. The race took a decisive turn when Piastri lost control on a wet section of the back straight, resulting in a high‑speed impact that forced his retirement and prompted a brief safety‑car period.
After the restart, Norris extended his advantage, completing a series of consistent lap times that kept rivals at bay. Antonelli, who had been running in second, was unable to close the gap and eventually slipped to third behind Verstappen, who secured the second‑quickest lap of the day. Alonso, despite a strong start, settled for fourth after a brief off‑track excursion.
Race officials praised the drivers for their handling of the variable conditions, noting that the safety measures in place functioned effectively after Piastri’s crash. Team spokespersons highlighted the strategic importance of tyre choice and the ability to adapt to changing grip levels. Norris’s win adds valuable points to his championship tally, while Verstappen’s recovery keeps his title challenge alive.
Looking ahead, the weekend will feature the main Grand Prix on Sunday, where teams will have another opportunity to adjust set‑ups based on the sprint’s findings. Analysts expect the wet‑to‑dry transition at Interlagos to continue influencing strategies, and the results could reshape the points hierarchy as the season approaches its final stages.
