McLaren driver Lando Norris secured victory at a gripping Sao Paulo Grand Prix after newly crowned world champion Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes team-mate George Russell both made critical mistakes in challenging conditions. Norris started from pole position, lost the lead early on, but reclaimed first place after Antonelli spun off the track.
Race Drama and Mercedes Errors
Norris dropped back at the start as Antonelli seized the lead and built a five-second advantage within 10 laps. However, as the track began to dry, Norris pitted for slick tyres on lap 16, a lap before the Italian driver. The earlier stop allowed Norris to close right onto the gearbox of the Mercedes when it rejoined.
Antonelli complained over the radio that his car felt strange under acceleration before spinning at Turn One on lap 20, handing the lead to Norris. Meanwhile, Russell ruined his chances of a podium finish on lap 16 when he spun exiting the pit lane, losing 15 to 20 seconds. Despite their mistakes, Russell and Antonelli finished fourth and fifth respectively, securing the constructors’ championship for Mercedes.
Verstappen Charge and Norris Victory
Max Verstappen produced a remarkable recovery drive from 21st on the grid following an engine penalty to claim second place. Verstappen overtook rivals and moved into sixth by lap 10, eventually inheriting third when Antonelli ran wide again at Turn One. Red Bull later ordered Isack Hadjar to let Verstappen pass into second place on lap 39.
Norris maintained a strong pace ahead of Verstappen in both dry and wet conditions, handling a late rain shower that forced drivers to switch back to intermediate tyres in the final 10 laps. Lando Norris stated that it was a very tough race with many challenges, noting that he kept his cool, avoided mistakes, and delivered the necessary pace.
Post-race penalties saw Antonelli handed a five-second time penalty for an unsafe release, though it did not alter his fifth-place finish. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc received a five-second penalty for causing a collision with Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson, dropping Leclerc to eighth and promoting Lawson to seventh. Oscar Piastri took sixth for McLaren, Lewis Hamilton finished ninth for Ferrari, and Nico Hulkenberg claimed the final point in 10th for Audi.
The Formula 1 season concludes with a final triple header, beginning with the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Sunday, 22 November.
