As it happened: 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix sprint race

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The sprint race at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix is coming up next.

We’ve had a few changes at the back of the grid as three of the drivers who were eliminated in the first round of qualifying yesterday have decided to make set-up changes to their car rather than start the race from the grid. The Aston Martin drivers plus Zhou Guanyu will therefore start from the pit lane. Here’s the grid for the sprint race.

All drivers will start the sprint race on the medium tyre compound. Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson, who share the fourth row of the grid are the only ones on fresh sets.

The track conditions are much closer to the heat we saw in practice yesterday. The track temperature is 48C, 5C off practice, but a lot warmed than qualifying. McLaren enjoyed the cooler conditions yesterday, this may suit them less well.

The cars are lining up on the grid ready for the start.

The Interlagos sprint race is go! Piastri keeps his lead as they accelerate out of the Curva do Sol.

L2 Leclerc can’t shake Verstappen off on the first lap, but the Red Bull driver isn’t quite close enough to attack him with DRS.

Franco Colapinto has a good look at Perez on the outside heading into Subida do Lago but has to back out.

L3 Verstappen pushing Leclerc much harder on this lap, gets him defending at the Senna S, then has a look at Subida do Lago, but has to fall back in behind the Ferrari.

Lewis Hamilton: “I’ve got no grip, mate.” He’s labouring in 14th place.

L5 Leclerc took over half a second out of Norris on the last lap and is now within DRS range. Norris needs his team mate’s DRS at the moment to protect himself from the Ferrari.

L6 Leclerc has now dropped just out of DRS range and Norris is closing on Piastri.

L7 Verstappen does the fastest lap and gest back within DRS range of Leclerc, but not quite close enough. Norris: “I’m not sure what I’m doing here, mate. I thought we spoke about this.”

L8 Norris is back out of DRS range of Piastri and under threat from Leclerc and Verstappen behind.

Joseph: “Understood. Keep doing what you’re doing.” Norris: “Yeah, whatever.”

L9 Perez passes Hulkenberg for 10th place. Norris gets back within DRS range of Piastri as lap 10 begins.

Piastri was told “give Lando DRS.”

L12 Norris slips back out of DRS range again but Leclerc isn’t able to attack this time by. Half distance.

L13 Leclerc loses DRS – he was asked to do more lift-and-coast for temperatures – and Verstappen has a look.

Verstappen: “Ah come on, Charles, man. So many mistakes.”

Piastri is told Norris is 1.2 seconds ahead of Leclerc, and that they want to stretch that gap.

Perez throws it down the inside of Lawson at turn one, slides wide and loses the place. Perez: “I’m locking up the front-left into turn one.”

Joseph to Norris: “With the gap to Leclerc at the moment we’re happy to hold these positions until the last lap.”

Joseph: “Suggest red A4.” Norris: “Yeah, I will overtake.”

Stallard to Piastri: “Obviously if Lando attacks do not make it too difficult.”

L18 Verstappen gets a run on Leclerc coming out of the Senna S and easily passes the Ferrari in the DRS zone.

Stallard to Piastri: “Verstappen has passed Leclerc.”

L20 Perez finally gets passed Lawson using DRS into the Senna S.

Nico Hulkenberg has come to a stop at the exit of Bico de Pato. A Safety Car here could thwart McLaren’s plans to swap their drivers around.

Piastri was originally told to swap positions, then not to, then to do so. They swap.

L22 Virtual Safety Car deployed.

L23: Verstappen to Lambiase: “Pay attention because if he’s on purpose driving slow, report it.”

VSC ending.

Piastri keeps Verstappen behind at the restart.

Lando Norris wins the sprint race at Interlagos!

Perez: “Where did Max finish?” Bird: “He finished third.”

Max Verstappen has been noted for a potential Virtual Safety Car infringement.

Verstappen now under investigation. Replays indicate he may have drawn alongside Piastri’s McLaren earlier than allowed under the rules.

That concludes our live coverage of the sprint race. Read the full report here.

2024 Brazilian Grand Prix

• “I didn’t really want to come back” – Hamilton explains cryptic Brazil radio message
• Ocon’s role in Gasly’s Q2 exit was almost another ‘flare-up’ at Alpine – Oakes
• Interlagos must improve “very bad” new track surface for 2025, say F1 drivers
• “That’s how we silence them”: Verstappen’s stunning Brazil win from start to finish
• Verstappen now has as many wins as F1’s first six world champions combined