SAO PAULO, Brazil — Lando Norris beat Max Verstappen to victory in a thrilling Sao Paulo Grand Prix as Mercedes clinched the 2026 Constructors’ Championship.
Norris claimed his third win of the season during Sunday’s 71-lap race at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, which began wet and dried out before the McLaren driver had to navigate a late rain shower, eventually claiming victory by 14.6 seconds after starting from pole.
“It was a very tough race – very, very tough,” Norris said. “Obviously, not the best of launches off the line, but a lot of challenges today, obviously, with the conditions.
“Going onto slicks in the wet is always tough, especially when you’re pushing for the lead and trying to catch up a little bit.
“The main thing today was I just kept it cool and I didn’t 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 climbed to the podium from 21st on the grid during a frenetic Grand Prix, as team mate Isack Hadjar made it a double podium for Red Bull.
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli finished fourth and fifth, the latter having spun twice – once even before the start – after leading early on, but with the result enough for Mercedes to claim the title.
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) was P6 ahead of Charles Leclerc, the Ferrari driver passing Liam Lawson on the penultimate lap after the Racing Bulls driver had run second in the opening laps.
Lewis Hamilton finished ninth on his 400th Formula 1 start, the Ferrari driver reaching the points after starting 20th and also suffering a spin, with the top 10 completed by Nico Hulkenberg’s Audi.
