Mercedes secured the Formula 1 constructors’ championship in São Paulo, while Lando Norris won the Brazilian Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen, who climbed from 21st on the grid to finish second.
The race at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace ran 71 laps in wet conditions, De Telegraaf and Sporza reported. Norris took pole position in qualifying, with world champion Kimi Antonelli alongside him on the front row, RacingNews365 reported.
Verstappen’s weekend turned on Saturday, when Red Bull changed his engine; the Dutchman received a heavy grid penalty and chose not to run in Q2, starting the race 21st, RacingNews365 reported. George Russell also dropped five places for an internal combustion engine change, while Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton started further back on the grid.
Norris Wins in the Rain
Norris held off Verstappen to take his third victory of the season, with Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar finishing third, De Telegraaf reported. Rain in the closing stages added drama, including a spin for Hamilton and a near-collision between Antonelli and Franco Colapinto, De Telegraaf reported.
“It was a heavy race, very, very heavy,” Norris said afterward, Sporza reported. “I have to thank the team, because they work very, very hard.”
Mercedes sealed the constructors’ title with Russell fourth and Antonelli fifth, De Telegraaf reported. The team finished with 652 points to Ferrari’s 512, giving Mercedes its ninth constructors’ championship and its first since 2021, De Telegraaf reported. Leclerc finished seventh and Hamilton ninth for Ferrari.
Verstappen’s Charge From 21st
Verstappen carved through the field from last on the grid to second place, Sporza reported. The result marked his eighth podium since his opening-lap retirement at Zandvoort, Sporza reported.
It was his third year of a dramatic recovery drive in Brazil: in 2024 he went from 17th to win, Sporza reported. Red Bull instructed Hadjar to give up second place to Verstappen late in the race, but Norris was already out of reach, Sporza reported.
Grid Penalties Reshape the Field
Verstappen’s engine change cost him a grid drop to 21st, while Russell received a five-place penalty for an engine change.
Questions From the Race
Mercedes has 652 points and Ferrari has 512 points. Mercedes finished the São Paulo weekend with 652 constructors’ points, 140 ahead of Ferrari’s 512, De Telegraaf reported.
The São Paulo victory was his third of the season, Sporza reported.
What happened to Verstappen in Brazil in 2024? He started 17th and won the race, Sporza reported.
With the constructors’ title now decided, three races remain in the season, and the battle for the remaining places in the standings is still open.