Lando Norris claimed his third victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season with a commanding performance at the São Paulo Grand Prix, securing back-to-back wins in Brazil as Mercedes wrapped up their ninth constructors’ world championship.
The McLaren driver crossed the line 14.602 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen, who produced a remarkable recovery from 21st on the grid to finish second. Isack Hadjar completed the podium in third, securing a double podium finish for Red Bull in a race shaped by changing weather conditions, strategic decisions and several costly mistakes.
George Russell finished fourth ahead of Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli, with their combined points securing the team’s first constructors’ championship since 2021.
Antonelli takes early control before Norris fights back
Norris started from pole position, but it was Antonelli who made the stronger getaway on a damp Interlagos circuit.
The newly crowned world champion moved into the lead at the start, while Liam Lawson and Hadjar also featured prominently in the opening exchanges.
Antonelli quickly established an advantage as the field navigated the slippery conditions on intermediate tyres. Norris, meanwhile, had to work his way back through the leading group before mounting a challenge for the lead.
Further down the order, Verstappen wasted little time making progress. Starting 21st following an engine-related grid penalty, the Red Bull driver had already reached the top 10 by the third lap.
His recovery continued as he overtook several midfield rivals, putting himself in contention for a significant result despite starting from the penultimate grid position.
As the circuit began to dry, teams faced an increasingly difficult decision over when to switch from intermediates to slick tyres.
The first major round of pit stops began around lap 15, with Lewis Hamilton among the early drivers to make the change.
Norris stopped on lap 17, alongside several of his rivals, while Russell’s race was complicated by a spin in the pit lane.
Antonelli and Verstappen followed one lap later, with Mercedes initially retaining the lead.
However, the complexion of the race changed dramatically on lap 20 when Antonelli spun at the first corner, allowing Norris to move ahead.
The Italian subsequently lost further positions as Hadjar and Verstappen capitalised on his difficulties.
Verstappen and Hadjar put Red Bull in podium contention
With Norris back in front, Red Bull emerged as McLaren’s principal challenger.
Hadjar ran strongly throughout the middle phase of the Grand Prix, while Verstappen continued his progress towards the front.
The Dutchman moved ahead of his team-mate on lap 38, although Norris was already building a useful advantage.
Verstappen subsequently reported difficulties with the rear of his car and was unable to maintain the pace needed to challenge the McLaren consistently.
Red Bull opted to bring him in for another set of soft tyres on lap 46, setting up a different strategic approach to the drivers ahead.
Hadjar remained on track and briefly inherited the lead when Norris stopped on lap 50.
The Frenchman made his own pit stop one lap later, while Antonelli stayed out in an attempt to extend his stint.
Mercedes eventually called Antonelli in on lap 54, returning Norris to the front ahead of Verstappen, with Hadjar continuing to fight for a podium position.
Late rain adds another challenge
The final phase brought a further change in conditions as rain returned to Interlagos with approximately 10 laps remaining.
The leading teams switched back to intermediate tyres as grip deteriorated and the circuit became increasingly difficult to manage.
Norris retained control despite the renewed rainfall, while Verstappen maintained second place.
Red Bull successfully completed a double pit stop on lap 63, keeping Hadjar ahead of Antonelli as the fight for the final podium position intensified.
Russell, who had recovered from his earlier pit-lane spin, subsequently moved ahead of Antonelli following an instruction from Mercedes.
The two Mercedes drivers remained fourth and fifth to the chequered flag, completing a decisive result in the constructors’ championship.
At the front, Norris managed the worsening conditions without surrendering his advantage, eventually taking victory after 71 laps.
His winning margin over Verstappen stood at 14.602 seconds, with Hadjar finishing 24.485 seconds behind the McLaren.
Mercedes secure the championship as Ferrari miss out
Although neither Mercedes driver reached the podium, the result was sufficient for the Brackley-based team to secure its ninth constructors’ world title.
Russell’s fourth place and Antonelli’s fifth ensured Mercedes could no longer be caught in the championship standings.
For McLaren, Norris’s victory and Oscar Piastri’s sixth-place finish provided a valuable points haul, ensuring the team did not lose ground to Red Bull in the constructors’ championship.
Ferrari endured a more difficult afternoon.
Charles Leclerc recovered to seventh, eventually finishing ahead of Lawson following a late battle between the pair. Their contact during the closing stages was noted by the stewards.
Hamilton, contesting his 400th Grand Prix, finished ninth after starting 20th, while Nico Hülkenberg completed the points-paying positions for Audi despite receiving a 10-second penalty during the race.
Audi’s result reduced its deficit to Haas in the constructors’ standings to three points.
Arvid Lindblad finished 11th, followed by Fernando Alonso, Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly.
Alex Albon took 15th ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto, Oliver Bearman, Sergio Pérez, Carlos Sainz and Rafael Câmara.
Câmara finished last among the classified runners after a particularly demanding afternoon in the changing conditions.
Lance Stroll retired, while Valtteri Bottas failed to start following a problem with his car before the race.
The São Paulo Grand Prix ultimately delivered contrasting outcomes for the leading teams: Norris celebrated another Brazilian victory, Verstappen produced one of the standout recovery drives of the afternoon, Red Bull secured two podium places, and Mercedes left Interlagos as constructors’ world champions for the ninth time.
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Diff | Stops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren Mercedes MCL40 | 71 Laps- 1h36m44.381s | 3 |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull RBPT Ford RB22 | +14.602 | 3 |
| 3 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull RBPT Ford RB22 | +24.485 | 3 |
| 4 | George Russell | Mercedes W17 | +33.991 | 2 |
| 5 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes W17 | +36.017 | 3 |
| 6 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren Mercedes MCL40 | +56.475 | 3 |
| 7 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari SF-26 | +43.586 | 2 |
| 8 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls RBPT Ford VCARB 03 | +75.402 | 3 |
| 9 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari SF-26 | +1 tour | 3 |
| 10 | Nico Hülkenberg | Audi F1 R26 | +1 tour | 3 |
| 11 | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls RBPT Ford VCARB 03 | +1 tour | 3 |
| 12 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin Honda AMR26 | +1 tour | 3 |
| 13 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine Mercedes A526 | +1 tour | 3 |
| 14 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine Mercedes A526 | +1 tour | 3 |
| 15 | Alex Albon | Williams Mercedes FW48 | +1 tour | 3 |
| 16 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi F1 R26 | +1 tour | 3 |
| 17 | Oliver Bearman | Haas Ferrari VF-26 | +1 tour | 3 |
| 18 | Sergio Pérez | Cadillac Ferrari MAC-26 | +2 tours | 2 |
| 19 | Carlos Sainz | Williams Mercedes FW48 | +2 tours | 3 |
| 20 | Rafael Câmara | Haas Ferrari VF-26 | +2 tours | 3 |
| 21 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Honda AMR26 | DNF | 1 |
| 20 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac Ferrari MAC-26 | DNS | 0 |
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