Lando Norris' sprint win in the F1 Brazilian GP termed a 'charity win' by Oscar Piastri's manager

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri's manager and former Red Bull driver Mark Webber deemed Lando Norris's Sprint win a "charity" after the recently concluded Brazilian GP on the last weekend. The British driver started the Sprint race from P2 behind the Aussie driver and failed to get past him on the track.

Lando Norris, although stayed in the DRS of Piastri, was defending his position from Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen behind. The Woking-based team enforced team orders and instructed the two-time race winner to let the 24-year-old pass him to aid the latter's championship challenge.

Speaking with Channel 4, Mark Webber claimed that it was "tricky" for a driver in Oscar Piastri's position to let Lando Norris and give up a well-earned win in the Sprint. Webber did not shy away from taking a dig at the manner of the win, saying (via PlanetF1):

“It’s always tricky when you get the phone call from the team right like you got to start moving things around. So of course, Oscar down to Turn Four, lift it out of the throttle, give Lando the victory, and try and maximize his chance to try and get back into this fight. Obviously, every point counts for him," Webber said.

While praising Piastri's generosity in swapping places, Webber remarked it was overall a good result for the team.

“Oscar was magnanimous in giving that position up, and then also for the championship it helps they get the one-two. Of course, that’s crucial for McLaren as well. So the result was good for the team and great for Lando. Obviously, with Lando having to get a little bit of a charity victory it’s all part of the sport,” he added.

---

Lando Norris opens up on Oscar Piastri giving up his Sprint win

McLaren driver Lando Norris acknowledged that his teammate Oscar Piastri deserved the Sprint win on Friday, November 1, given he had led the race from the start.

As quoted by PlanetF1, the three-time race winner wasn't overjoyed with the victory and said:

“Oscar drove well and he deserved to win. I’m not proud of winning a Sprint race – or any race – like this, so I thank Oscar and the team. But that’s our objective. It’s what we have to work towards as a team. We get the points in the Constructors’ and I get the points in the Drivers’ and that’s our target,” Lando Norris said.

Piastri, on the other hand, was not fussed about the situation and reflected:

“I’ve said I would from when we first had these discussions. It would be nice to win, but it’s one point different and it’s not the main race,” Oscar Piastri commented.

The swap proved inconsequential in the end as Max Verstappen was able to extend his lead over Lando Norris in the Driver's Championship to 62 points with three races and one Sprint remaining in the 2024 season, with a chance to take the title at Las Vegas in the race.