Lando Norris and Max Verstappen break into laughter during press conference after Oscar Piastri is congratulated on his ‘win’ in the Brazilian Grand Prix Sprint race

The battle between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen for the 2024 Formula One World Championship has gotten pretty intense in recent months.

But the tension was broken briefly on Saturday as both men broke into laughter during a press conference in Sao Paulo.

The press conference followed the Brazilian Grand Prix Sprint race.

Lando Norris claimed the maximum eight points in the race after McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri deliberately let him pass shortly before the finish line.

Meanwhile, Verstappen came third and had to settle for six points.

But Norris won the race and eight points after McLaren team-mate Piastri allowed him to pass

Piastri started on pole and led for nearly the entire sprint race before moving over for Norris.

However, one reporter seemingly missed the final manoeuvre, judging by the introduction to her question during the press conference.

‘Congratulations Oscar for your win,’ she began, before Norris and Verstappen burst into laughter beside the Australian.

Piastri appeared surprised but he waited for the reporter to finish her question before replying: ‘I don’t know what I won, but thank you!’

Norris later said that he was ‘not proud’ about the way he had won the race. But he added: ‘We worked well as a team together, so I thank Oscar.

‘We have done a great job as a team. Today was the result that we wanted.

‘Oscar deserved it, but we did what we had to do. So I thank him and the team.

Norris (second left) pipped Piastri (left), while Max Verstappen (second right) finished third

Piastri, Norris and Verstappen (left to right) pictured during a post-race press conference

‘We had great pace, so we’re looking forward to qualifying and the race tomorrow.’

Norris ended Saturday with 323 points in this year’s driver standings, leaving him 44 behind Verstappen.