McLaren neared its first Formula 1 constructors’ title in 26 years as Lando Norris handed Oscar Piastri victory in a one-two finish for the team in the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix.

The British driver was told three times not to give his team-mate the Qatar sprint victory favour he had been mulling since his Brazil win

Oscar Piastri won the sprint race in Qatar ahead of team-mate Lando Norris as McLaren closed in on a first constructors’ title in 26 years. Much has been made of Norris’ lacklustre starts this season but the British driver blasted away from pole before playing the team game to help Piastri.