Norris cashes in on Piastri’s crash

LANDO Norris’ world championship hopes were handed a major boost after he won yesterday's sprint race in Sao Paulo and Oscar Piastri crashed out.

- By Philip Duncan

Norris started from pole position and navigated his way through the chaos to lead every lap and take the chequered flag just eighth tenths clear of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli.

George Russell finished third, one place ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Norris’ win allows him to extend his title lead over Piastri from one pointto nine. Verstappen is now 40 points adrift of Norris with 108 points on the table.

Pole-sitter Norris delivered a strong start to lead into the opening corner with Antonelli — second and Piastri, who started third, unable to muscle his way ahead of the Mercedes teenager.

Norris was in control of the action before Piastri dramatically hit the barriers at the start of the sixth lap.

Piastri dipped his front-left tyre on to the kerb on the exit of the Senna Esses, which sent him into a spin and an unavoidable date with the wall.