Sao Paulo, Nov 9:
McLaren’s Lando Norris mastered changing wet conditions to claim victory at the rain-hit Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos on Sunday, as Mercedes mathematically sealed the Formula 1 constructors’ championship.
Norris converted his pole position into his second consecutive victory in Brazil and third win of the campaign, leading 47 of the 71 laps. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen delivered a stellar recovery drive from 21st on the grid to finish second, while teammate Isack Hadjar secured the final podium step in third.
Norris remarked: “It was one of my best races in terms of execution. It was a race where things could easily change.”
Mercedes clinched their ninth constructors’ crown—and their first since 2021—as George Russell finished fourth and newly crowned world champion Kimi Antonelli recovered from an earlier spin to take fifth. Mercedes stretched their points tally to 652, placing them out of reach of Ferrari (510 points). Team Principal Toto Wolff stated: “It was a very strong beginning of the season that got us over the line. I never thought this was ever possible.”
Antonelli admitted: “I’m very disappointed for the race. I’m very angry, to be fair, but I’m going to put all this aside for now because the team clinched the title.”
Verstappen reflected: “When you start that far back, you need to try to get by as quickly as you can.” Lewis Hamilton finished ninth in his milestone 400th Grand Prix start. The championship heads to Las Vegas on November 21.