SAO PAULO: McLaren driver Lando Norris won Saturday鈥檚 Formula 1 sprint race at the Brazilian Grand Prix to cut his deficit to championship leader Max Verstappen.
Red Bull鈥檚 Verstappen is also under investigation for a potential virtual safety car infringement.
The gap between the two drivers, with four grands prix and a final sprint race to the end of the season, is now 45 points.
Norris started second on the grid and, late into the 24 laps of the sprint race, teammate Oscar Piastri gave way to him.
Verstappen finished third and Ferrari鈥檚 Charles Leclerc, who also has a long shot at the title, ended fourth.
Ferrari鈥檚 Carlos Sainz Jr. was fifth, with Mercedes鈥� George Russell, Alpine鈥檚 Pierre Gasly and Red Bull鈥檚 Sergio Perez next best.
Norris appeared to be upset about leader Piastri鈥檚 pace for most of the sprint race. 鈥淚 am not sure what I am doing here, mate,鈥� he said on the team radio. 鈥淚 thought we spoke about this.鈥�
Later, Norris said McLaren had done a good job.
鈥淚 am not proud about it but we worked well as a team together so I thank Oscar,鈥� Norris said. 鈥淥scar deserved (a win) but we did what we had to do.鈥�
Piastri did not elaborate on the McLaren decision. 鈥淎 great day for the team and a lot of points. We learned a lot for the race tomorrow,鈥� he said.