OSCAR BRAVO

Piastri proves he can take title fight to Norris with an assured victory in Shanghai

- By Daniel Moxon

OSCAR PIASTRI declared victory in Shanghai as the start of his title charge as he warned McLaren team-mate Lando Norris he will not go down without a fight.

Norris survived failing brakes to finish second, securing the team’s 50th one-two finish in Formula One and retaining his place at the top of the drivers’ standings.

But Australian Piastri, who has Chinese heritage, proved he will be a tough obstacle for his team-mate with an assured win from pole.

Asked if his third career Grand Prix victory was the start of his title campaign, Piastri smiled and said: “I hope so!”

The 23-year-old is 10 points behind Norris and the gap would have been much smaller had he not slipped off track while chasing the win in the season-opener in Melbourne seven days earlier.