Lando Norris won the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday at the Interlagos circuit in Brazil. The McLaren driver triumphed despite facing an early setback that temporarily dropped him down the order.
Norris started the 71-lap race from pole position but lost the lead before the first corner. Antonelli overtook him, and Liam Lawson also passed the McLaren driver, pushing Norris down to third place.
The race took place under changing weather conditions, requiring multiple pit stops. Norris gradually rebuilt his pace and reclaimed the lead on lap 20 after Antonelli spun at Turn 1 following a pit stop to switch to dry tyres.
Max Verstappen produced a strong recovery drive for Red Bull. Starting from 21st on the grid, Verstappen charged through the field and moved into second place on lap 38 after Red Bull instructed its two drivers to swap positions.
Norris maintained control at the front of the pack as the race progressed, extending his advantage to more than 14 seconds in the closing stages to take the chequered flag ahead of Verstappen.
Verstappen finished second, and his teammate Isack Hadjar completed the podium in third place. Hadjar was followed by George Russell in fourth and Antonelli in fifth.
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri crossed the finish line in sixth position. Ferrari competitors Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished seventh and ninth respectively.
Mercedes clinched their ninth Formula 1 constructors’ title at the end of the event, finishing a five-year wait since their previous championship triumph in 2021. Russell and Antonelli secured the points needed to seal the crown, regardless of a post-race investigation into an unsafe pit release involving Antonelli.
The German manufacturer began the season with a one-two finish in Australia and won the opening six Grands Prix to build a commanding lead in the standings. Over the course of the campaign, Mercedes recorded 12 Grand Prix victories and 24 podium finishes.
Antonelli had already secured his maiden drivers’ world title earlier in the season at the Mexican Grand Prix. Sunday’s result completed a championship double for Mercedes, marking the team’s return to the top of Formula 1.
