Formula 1 sprint: McLaren double victory on the high-speed circuit in Qatar!

Losail International Circuit (Qatar) - McLaren set course for its first Team World Championship triumph in 26 years with a double victory in the Qatar Sprint.

Lando Norris (25) conceded victory in the final sprint race of this Formula 1 season to his team-mate Oscar Piastri (23) in the very last few meters.
Lando Norris (25) conceded victory in the final sprint race of this Formula 1 season to his team-mate Oscar Piastri (23) in the very last few meters.  © Darko Bandic/AP/dpa

Oscar Piastri won the short race on Saturday ahead of Lando Norris, thus extending the British traditional racing team's lead in the standings - also because Ferrari disappointed: Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc failed to finish higher than fourth and fifth. George Russell in the Mercedes finished third.

Curious: On the home straight, Norris, who had been leading until then, let his team-mate Piastri pass him and gave him the win, which was probably a thank you for his help in the battle for the drivers' championship in recent months.

Last weekend in Las Vegas, Max Verstappen won the drivers' championship ahead of schedule.

Before the remaining Grand Prix on Sunday (17:00 CET/Sky) in Qatar and a week later in Abu Dhabi, McLaren now has a 30-point lead over the Scuderia, with 88 points still to be won.

A gift Formula 1 victory: Lando Norris lets team-mate Oscar Piastri celebrate!

Taken it easy so far this weekend: Formula 1 world champion and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen (27).
Taken it easy so far this weekend: Formula 1 world champion and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen (27).  © Altaf Qadri/AP POOL/dpa

Meanwhile, Red Bull fell even further behind, with newly crowned world champion Verstappen finishing eighth and scoring just one point on Saturday - he was also beaten by Nico Hülkenberg, who finished seventh to gain further valuable points for his Haas team.

The starting position is now so comfortable for McLaren mainly because the track in Qatar was actually considered an advantage for Ferrari.

Norris and Piastri's main aim this weekend was to limit the damage, but instead there is now every indication that they will be able to extend the gap in the main race on Sunday.

Qualifying for the Grand Prix takes place on Saturday evening (19:00 CET).

Mercedes also plays a role in the duel between old rivals McLaren and Ferrari, with Russell taking important points away from the Scuderia. McLaren last won the title of best racing team in 1998, while the 2008 team championship was Ferrari's last triumph.