SÃO PAULO: Lando Norris won the São Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday after a rain-affected race at Interlagos, while Mercedes secured the constructors’ championship for the first time since 2021.
The victory came a week after Kimi Antonelli had been crowned world champion, adding another milestone to a season in which Mercedes have reclaimed their place at the top of Formula One.
Norris finished 14.6 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen, who produced an impressive recovery after starting 21st following a power unit penalty.
Isack Hadjar completed the podium in third, giving Red Bull two drivers among the top three.
Antonelli spins after taking the lead
Norris started from pole position but made a slow getaway, allowing Antonelli to take the lead into Turn 1.
Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson briefly pushed Norris down to third through the Senna Esses.
ALSO READ: Antonelli crowned youngest F1 world champion as Verstappen wins in Mexico
However, Antonelli’s first race as world champion took an unexpected turn on lap 20 when he reported a suspected suspension problem before spinning at Turn 1 and surrendering the lead to Norris.
The Italian recovered to finish fifth, two seconds behind Mercedes team-mate George Russell, who took fourth place, Latin Times reported.
Weather conditions played a significant role throughout the race.
The circuit had dried completely by lap 23, but rain returned later, forcing drivers back onto intermediate tyres.
Norris and Verstappen made their final pit stops on lap 63 of the 71-lap race.
ALSO READ: Formula 1 returns to Africa as Rwanda lands 10-year Grand Prix deal
Verstappen charged through the field and moved into contention for second. Red Bull instructed Hadjar to let his team-mate through, but the Dutchman was unable to close the gap to Norris.
The victory was Norris’s third of the season and the 14th of his Formula One career.
Mercedes complete championship double
Russell and Antonelli collected enough points to secure Mercedes’ ninth constructors’ championship and their first since 2021.
The achievement completes the team’s first drivers’ and constructors’ championship double since 2020.
Mercedes’ nine titles put them level with Williams in third place on the all-time constructors’ list, behind Ferrari on 16 championships and McLaren on 10.
São Paulo Grand Prix: Top 10
- Lando Norris
- Max Verstappen
- Isack Hadjar
- George Russell
- Kimi Antonelli
- Oscar Piastri
- Charles Leclerc
- Liam Lawson
- Lewis Hamilton
- Nico Hülkenberg
The next race is the Las Vegas Grand Prix on 22 November.
