Lando Norris won at Interlagos, but the biggest story was Mercedes. The McLaren driver held off Max Verstappen to take the São Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday, while Mercedes wrapped up the 2026 constructors’ championship, a week after Kimi Antonelli clinched the drivers’ crown.
Kimi Antonelli Spins, Lando Norris Capitalizes
It was a chaotic race in changing conditions. Norris had claimed pole in soaking conditions on Saturday, edging George Russell, who later took a five-place grid penalty for an engine change. Antonelli, who had a moment of luck on his way to the grid when he skidded across the grass and narrowly avoided the barriers, jumped Norris on the damp run to Turn 1 and stormed eight seconds clear.
Then it came undone. After pitting for dry tires, Antonelli complained of “something weird” with his car and spun off at Turn 1, handing the lead to Norris. He went off again on Lap 24, and Mercedes told him it was only tire temperature. When rain returned, Antonelli was told to let Russell through. He finished fifth and was handed a five-second penalty for an unsafe pit release after the race, but his position did not change.
Norris never looked back. He crossed the line 14.6 seconds ahead of Verstappen, claiming back-to-back wins in São Paulo and his third win this season.
Verstappen’s Charge
Verstappen, starting 21st, produced his trademark comeback, passing Hamilton, Albon, and Piastri on his way to second. It echoed his win from 17th in the rain here in 2024. Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar completed the podium.
Russell’s podium hopes were undone by a spin on the narrow pit exit, but he recovered to fourth. Charles Leclerc finished eighth after a five-second penalty for a collision with Liam Lawson in the closing stages. Lewis Hamilton, making his 400th Grand Prix start, started 20th after engine trouble, climbed to ninth on the first lap, and finished ninth. He also spun on the main straight, clipping the barrier on his way into the pits. The Ferrari pair had a week of tension after Hamilton questioned Leclerc’s mentality following a first-lap move in Mexico. Both say their issues are over after talks with team boss Fred Vasseur.
Mercedes Completes the Double
With Russell fourth and Antonelli fifth, Mercedes clinched its first constructors’ title since 2021 and completed a sweep of both championships. Antonelli had already won the team’s first drivers’ title since 2020 in Mexico City, becoming F1’s youngest champion in the process.
Mercedes entered the season as the favorite under the new engine and aerodynamic regulations, and it delivered, winning the first six races. With three races still to play, it has won 12 of the season’s 20 grands prix. The dominance echoes the start of the V6 turbo era in 2014, when Mercedes ran away with the sport until the ground-effect cars arrived in 2022.
After winning only a handful of races from 2022 to 2025, it has mastered the new rules.
