SportyTV | Norris navigates tricky conditions to win Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Lando Norris provided the perfect response to losing his Formula One title as he stormed to consecutive Sao Paulo Grand Prix victories on Sunday.

Just a week after relinquishing his crown to Kimi Antonelli in Mexico City, Norris navigated the tricky conditions around Interlagos to claim his third race win of the season.

Norris took the chequered flag almost 15 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen, who was joined on the podium by Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar.

George Russell recovered from spinning out in the pit lane to take fourth ahead of Antonelli, with that result seeing Mercedes clinch the Constructors' Championship for the first time since 2021, when Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were in the team.

Oscar Piastri finished sixth, while a late overtake from Charles Leclerc on Liam Lawson saw the Ferrari driver take seventh away from the Racing Bulls driver, as Hamilton and the Audi of Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the top 10.

LANDO WINS AT INTERLAGOS! Mega work this weekend #McLarenF1 | #BrazilGP https://t.co/zwQcyhMsCZ
— McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team (@McLarenF1) November 8, 2026

Norris' lead lasted until the first corner as Antonelli made an electric start, with the Racing Bulls of Lawson also passing the McLaren driver on the opening lap of proceedings.

Hamilton and Verstappen, who both started at the back of the grid, made their way through the field and quickly found themselves competing inside the top 10.

Verstappen then produced a brilliant move to make up two places in two corners as he cruised past Piastri and Alex Albon, with Norris also making light work of Lawson.

The first round of pit stops came on lap 17, and there was a moment to forget for Russell inside the pit lane, with the Mercedes man spinning out before returning to the track.

Russell's Mercedes team-mate Antonelli also struggled after coming out on new tyres, spinning out at the first corner, which saw Norris take the lead of the race, with the Red Bull of Hadjar also making his way past the new world champion moments later.

Antonelli complained of issues with his suspension before Verstappen took third after he went off track again, with Red Bull ordering Hadjar to make way for his team-mate in his quest to close a 10-second gap to leader Norris.

But Norris was in a league of his own at the front of the pack as he breezed home, though Verstappen can be pleased with his work after rising from 21st up to second.

Norris goes back-to-back in Brazil

After becoming the first driver to claim three consecutive pole positions at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix since Felipe Massa achieved the feat between 2006 and 2008 (three), Norris made the worst possible start as he dropped to third on the opening lap.

However, the 2025 world champion showcased his skill on the rain-soaked surface at Interlagos, claiming his first race win since the Dutch Grand Prix back in August.

That was some drive, Landinho #McLarenF1 | #BrazilGP https://t.co/V4xlXGibMD
— McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team (@McLarenF1) November 8, 2026

But while Norris deservedly gets all the credit for his victory, you simply cannot ignore the superb drive Verstappen produced, though it is hardly a surprise at this track.

Verstappen has become the highest-scoring driver at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, having won 205 points at the race and surpassing Hamilton, while the Dutchman has now finished on the podium in each of his last eight races, extending the longest active streak in the championship.

TOP 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. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

8. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)

9. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

10. Nico Hulkenburg (Audi)

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