Lando Norris deliberately handed Oscar Piastri victory in the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint race, defying team orders in a display of teammate reciprocity.

The dramatic finish saw Norris slow down at the final corner, moving to the inside to allow Piastri through to victory. This gesture reciprocated Piastri's similar move at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix Sprint, where he had given way to Norris.

McLaren had advised against the switch due to George Russell's proximity behind Piastri, but Norris proceeded with his pre-planned gesture. "I'm not here to win Sprint races, I'm here to win races and a championship," Norris explained, emphasizing his long-term perspective.

The move was largely improvised, with only Norris's race engineer aware of his intentions before the race. He had communicated his plan to attempt the position switch if the opportunity arose with a sufficient gap to their competitors.

This display of teamwork highlights McLaren's unique dynamic, with Norris stating, "I don't think any other team would do such a thing and help each other as much as we've done this year." He emphasized that neither driver places excessive importance on Sprint race victories, instead prioritizing their collaborative relationship.

The gesture underscores McLaren's strong team ethic, with both drivers willing to sacrifice individual glory for mutual benefit. This approach, according to Norris, sets them apart from other teams and remains a cornerstone of their strategy moving forward.

Related Articles

Previous Articles