What did the top three finishers have to say after Qatar F1 Sprint?

Having led the Sprint from the start to the last corner on the last lap, McLaren driver Lando Norris gifted the victory to his team-mate Oscar Piastri as a payback for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

After Lando Norris dominated proceedings all through the Qatar F1 Sprint, there was a significant change in the dying seconds of the 19-lap race.

The Briton slowed down coming out of the last corner to pull aside and hand the win to his team-mate Oscar Piastri. It later emerged that it was a payback for Brazil, when Piastri led on merit and let Norris through when Norris needed the extra points in the drivers’ championship.

The Australian commented: “It was about defence for the whole race. I had a good start, a good Turn 1 but I killed the front [tyres] a little bit early on and was struggling for the rest of the Sprint.

“Some great teamwork, without that would have been a difficult Sprint.”

Commenting on his 19-lap race at the Lusail International Circuit, Norris added: “We scored a 1-2, that’s what we were aiming for and we are happy as a team. I probably could have pushed a little more than I was doing, but we didn’t want to give George a chance.

“It was probably a bit closer than I was wanting [to swap positions], but I had planned to do it since Brazil. It was a bit sketchy, the team told me not to do it, but I did it anyway.”

Having started the Qatar F1 Sprint from P2 on the grid, Mercedes driver George Russell lost the lead at the start to Oscar Piastri, and was unable to come back despite a series of overtaking attempts.

“I mean it was very close going into Turn 1 on a couple of occasions. Lando backing up, giving Oscar the DRS – it was pretty infuriating! P3, but this afternoon is the important one.”