McLaren's Lando Norris claimed a commanding victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, beating Max Verstappen in a race defined by changing conditions and costly errors from Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Norris, starting from pole, lost the lead to Antonelli at the start but regained it after an earlier switch to dry-weather tyres put him on the Mercedes' tail. Antonelli spun at Turn 1 on lap 20, handing the lead back to Norris, who then dominated through a late rain shower to take his first win since the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
Verstappen produced a remarkable recovery from 21st on the grid — due to an engine penalty — to finish second, while Red Bull's Isack Hadjar took third. Russell, who had worked his way into podium contention, spun at the pit‑lane exit on lap 16 and lost 15‑20 seconds, eventually finishing fourth. Antonelli recovered to fifth, a result that, combined with Russell's fourth place, clinched the constructors' championship for Mercedes — their ninth title and first since 2021 — a week after Antonelli secured the drivers' crown.
"It was a very tough race — very, very tough," Norris said. "Not the best of launches off the line, but a lot of challenges today with the conditions and going on slicks in the wet is always tough. The main thing today was that I just kept it cool and I did not make any mistakes. I had the pace when I needed to so it was good. Nice to be back on the top step and what a place to do it as well."
Verstappen's drive was equally impressive: after starting alongside Lewis Hamilton, he passed the Ferrari within four laps and was sixth by lap 10, slicing through the field in treacherous conditions. Hamilton, who initially progressed quickly, lacked pace later and finished ninth.
Both Antonelli and Charles Leclerc received five‑second post‑race penalties. Antonelli's unsafe‑release penalty did not affect his fifth place, but Leclerc dropped to eighth for a collision with Liam Lawson, promoting Lawson to seventh. Oscar Piastri was sixth for McLaren, and Nico Hulkenberg took the final point for Audi in tenth.
Top 10 Finishers
1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
3. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
4. George Russell (Mercedes)
5. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
7. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
8. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
9. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
10. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
The season concludes with a triple header starting with the Las Vegas Grand Prix on 22 November.
