McLaren’s Lando Norris beat Max Verstappen to win a gripping Sao Paulo Grand Prix in which new world champion Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes team-mate George Russell both made critical mistakes in difficult conditions.
Norris, who started from pole, lost the lead to Antonelli at the start and dropped back when the track was wet.
But an earlier pit stop for dry-weather tyres put Norris on Antonelli’s tail and the Italian spun away the lead at the first corner.
After reclaiming first place, Norris dominated through a late shower of rain which required a switch back to wet-weather tyres to take his first win since the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August.
A few laps before Antonelli lost the lead, Russell, who started seventh, spun exiting the pits and lost 15 to 20 seconds after working his way back into podium contention.
Despite their travails, Russell and Antonelli finished fourth and fifth to clinch the constructors’ championship for Mercedes a week after the Italian had tied up the drivers’ title.
Norris had too much pace for Verstappen whether the track was dry or wet and stamped his authority on the race.
But the Dutchman put in another supreme drive in changeable conditions in Interlagos to take second after starting in 21st place.
The key stories of the race were:
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An accomplished performance from Norris in a revived McLaren to take his first win for more than two months
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A superb comeback from Verstappen from an engine penalty
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A difficult day for both Mercedes, notwithstanding the greater glory of the constructors’ win, and Ferrari in the tricky conditions
‘He was in a league of his own’ – Benson on Norris’ Brazil GP winNorris had started from his first pole position since the Spanish Grand Prix in September, but lost first place immediately after Antonelli, alongside him on the front row, leaped into the lead.
The new world champion pulled away to build a five-second advantage in 10 laps as he began to look as if he might crown his achievement with a win at the first attempt.
Antonelli’s lead was more than eight seconds by lap 13 but the track was drying and three laps later Norris came in for dry-weather slick tyres.
The Italian followed him in a lap later, but Norris had gained so much time with his earlier stop that he was on the Mercedes’ gearbox when it rejoined.
Antonelli defended for a couple of laps but he was complaining over the radio that the car felt strange under acceleration, and on lap 20 he lost control on the entry to Turn One, spinning and handing the lead to Norris.
Kimi Antonelli spun off from the lead shortly after changing to slick tyresThat left Norris three seconds ahead of Hadjar with Verstappen now close behind Antonelli, who ran wide again at Turn One four laps later and handed third place to the Dutchman.
Hadjar had every bit as much pace as Verstappen, but was not as consistent and made too many mistakes, and within 10 laps the team leader was on the Frenchman’s tail.
Red Bull ordered Hadjar to let Verstappen by on lap 39 in the hope the four-time champion could close on Norris.
But the Briton had too much pace and held off Verstappen, switching to another set of soft tyres before needing intermediates when the rain came down increasingly heavily in the final 10 laps.
Norris said: “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.
“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.”
The Mercedes of George Russell sideways in the pit lane, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri blocked behind himTop 10
1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
3. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
4. George Russell (Mercedes)
5. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
7. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
8. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
9. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
10. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
