Lando Norris Claims Sao Paulo Grand Prix Victory After Chaotic Wet Race

McLaren driver Lando Norris won a gripping Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Saturday in difficult conditions at Interlagos as Mercedes secured the 2026 constructors' championship.

Norris completed the race ahead of Max Verstappen, who drove from 21st place after taking a new power unit, while Kimi Antonelli and George Russell finished fourth and fifth.

The result completed a championship double for Mercedes just seven days after Antonelli clinched the drivers' title in Mexico, with three rounds of the season still remaining.

Norris started from pole position after mastering treacherous wet conditions during qualifying, though the session was suspended for over an hour and 20 minutes due to torrential rain.

The McLaren driver lost the lead to Antonelli at the start of the race and dropped back when the track was wet before an earlier pit stop for dry-weather slick tyres changed the dynamic.

Antonelli defended his lead for a couple of laps before losing control on the entry to Turn 1 on lap 20, spinning and handing first place to Norris.

Russell also suffered misfortune after starting seventh, spinning as he exited the pits and losing 15 to 20 seconds while working his way back into contention.

Despite their errors, the points earned by Russell and Antonelli were enough to seal the constructors' title for Mercedes over Ferrari.

Verstappen produced a supreme drive through the changeable weather to finish second despite his back-of-the-grid penalty resulting from a complete power-unit change.

Norris spoke about the demanding nature of the event after taking his first victory since August.

Said Norris: "It was a very tough race - very, very tough. 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."

Norris added: "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."

Qualifying saw several heavy grid penalties applied across the grid due to engine changes, affecting drivers including Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Russell and Verstappen.

The race concluded the Brazilian weekend with teams now preparing for the final three rounds of the Formula One season.