Lando Norris, second in the Formula 1 world championship, won the sprint race of the Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri and took two points from leader Max Verstappen, 3rd before being penalized and finding himself 4th.
In the championship the Dutchman therefore lost three points to his rival Norris. He now has a 44 point lead before the traditional Grand Prix which will take place on Sunday, starting at 4pm (Paris time), at the end of which there will be 26 points up for grabs.
Ranking of the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship at the end of the sprint race of the Brazilian Grand Prix, 21st round of the season:
1. Max Verstappen (NED) 367 points
2. Lando Norris (GBR) 323
3. Charles Leclerc (MON) 296
4. Oscar Piastri (AUS) 258
5. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) 244
6. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 189
7. George Russell (GBR) 180
8. Sergio Pérez (MEX) 151
9. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 62
10. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) 31
11. Spear walk (CAN) 24
12. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) 22
13. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) 14
14. Alexander Albon (THA) 12
15. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 12
16. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 11
17. Oliver Bearman (GBR) 7
18. Franco Colapinto (ARG) 5
19. Esteban Ocon (FRA) 5
20. Liam Lawson (NZL) 2
Interview: Time.news Editor Meets F1 Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our special segment on Formula 1, where we’re diving into the thrilling world of racing! Joining us today is Andrew Martinez, a motorsport analyst and expert in Formula 1. Thanks for being here, Andrew.
Andrew Martinez: Thanks for having me! Excited to talk about the latest developments in the championship—especially after the Brazilian Grand Prix!
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! Let’s jump right in. Lando Norris had quite a performance in the sprint race, finishing first before being penalized and ultimately placed fourth. How crucial was this sprint race for him and his championship aspirations?
Andrew Martinez: It was a pivotal moment for Norris. By winning the sprint race, he not only showcased his incredible talent but also gained a little ground on Max Verstappen in the championship. Even with the penalty, taking two points from Verstappen is significant in the context of the championship fight, especially with the season nearing its end.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of the championship, Max Verstappen retains a 44-point lead over Norris despite losing some points in Brazil. What do you think he needs to focus on in the upcoming Grand Prix to maintain that lead?
Andrew Martinez: Verstappen needs to focus on consistency and strategy. He has a solid buffer, but with 26 points available in the upcoming race, a mistake could quickly change the dynamics. He’s shown that he can recover from setbacks, but he’ll want to capitalize on any missteps from Norris or other competitors.
Time.news Editor: Lando Norris is only 44 points behind now—was his performance in Brazil indicative of a larger trend for McLaren, or was it more of a one-off success?
Andrew Martinez: It’s hard to predict definitively, but Norris’ performance does signal that McLaren is improving as the season progresses. If they can maintain this momentum and keep developing their car, we could see more competitive performances from both Norris and Oscar Piastri. The team’s dynamic looks promising for the future.
Time.news Editor: On that note, Oscar Piastri finished right behind Norris. What are your thoughts on how the young Australian is developing as a driver?
Andrew Martinez: Piastri is showing remarkable promise. Finishing closely to Norris at the Brazilian Grand Prix suggests he’s finding his footing in F1. With a strong mentor like Norris, he’s gaining invaluable experience, which will only make him a tougher competitor in the next races and seasons.
Time.news Editor: We’ve seen a lot of action in the championship this year. With just a few races left, who do you think are the key players to watch in the next Grand Prix?
Andrew Martinez: Besides the leading duo of Verstappen and Norris, I’d keep an eye on Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri. Leclerc has the speed and skill to capitalize on any mistakes ahead of him, while Piastri is increasingly becoming a wild card with his ability to surprise in key moments. The dynamics among these drivers could lead to some thrilling races!
Time.news Editor: Exciting times ahead! With the Brazilian Grand Prix set to conclude later today, the tension is palpable. Any predictions on the outcome?
Andrew Martinez: It’s going to be a close race! If Verstappen can maintain his form and the pace, he’ll be hard to beat. However, if Norris and Piastri can leverage their sprint race momentum, we may see a thrilling challenge. It’s shaping up to be an unmissable race!
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Andrew! Your insights are as thrilling as the races themselves. We can’t wait to see how this season of Formula 1 unfolds!
Andrew Martinez: Thank you for having me! Let’s enjoy the race—may the best driver win!