Brazilian Grand Prix: Norris wins in São Paulo, Mercedes celebrates team world championship

Lando Norris won the Brazilian Grand Prix and celebrated his third victory of the season in Formula 1. The McLaren driver prevailed in changeable conditions in São Paulo ahead of Red Bull star Max Verstappen and his teammate Isack Hadjar. The new world champion Kimi Antonelli came fifth and celebrated the first constructors' title with Mercedes since 2021.

In front of the Brazilian soccer star Neymar, the Silver Arrows needed three points more than Ferrari to win the team championship early. Antonelli and George Russell in fourth place did it easily. Charles Leclerc only finished seventh, Lewis Hamilton ninth in his 400th Grand Prix.

Up and down for Hülkenberg

Nico Hülkenberg experienced a disappointing race. Starting from fourth place, the Emmericher initially lost one place after the other. A ten-second time penalty - Hülkenberg had left the track and thus gained an advantage - threw him even further back, but in the end he at least saved a point in tenth place.

“We have an absolute thriller coming up,” Hülkenberg had said beforehand. The combination of possible rain chaos like in qualifying and a starting grid that was mixed up due to numerous penalties promised great excitement for the 20th race of the season.

Antonelli loses control of the vehicle

On Sunday, the drivers actually made their way to the starting grid in wet conditions - and Antonelli experienced a shocking moment when he lost control of his Mercedes and spun onto the grass. Fortunately, the Italian prevented an impact. “I would be very surprised,” said teammate Russell, “if we see slicks today.”

It wasn't raining at the start, but all drivers started the race on intermediates. Antonelli immediately passed Norris, and Liam Lawson also grabbed the pole sitter. Further back, Verstappen plowed through the field and after just a few laps he was already in the points.

On lap six, Norris pushed past Lawson again, and Antonelli already had a lead of five seconds over the Brit. While Verstappen continued to make up place after place, Hamilton suddenly had massive problems after his equally strong start. The record world champion pushed for dry tires, but on lap 15 he switched to the soft compound.

A right decision, and the rest of the pilots quickly followed suit. But now the Silver Arrows had big problems: While Russell made a strange spin on the pit exit, Antonelli slipped out in turn one. Norris took the lead again on lap 20, and shortly afterwards the Italian had to let Hadjar and Verstappen pass.

On lap 38, the Red Bull drivers swapped positions, but Verstappen was unable to close the gap to Norris. Everyone was waiting for the rain, and in the final stages it came again. On the 63rd lap it was back to the intermediates, Russell passed Antonelli.