Lando Norris delivered a brilliant victory in a sensational Sao Paulo Grand Prix, holding off Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen in a race full of drama.
It was a contest where pit calls proved decisive, with Antonelli fending off Verstappen after one of the Dutchman’s finest recovery drives of the season.
Early Chaos at Interlagos
Norris held his pole position into Turn 1, fending off Antonelli and Charles Leclerc, while Oscar Piastri came under attack from Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson.
Further back, Lewis Hamilton endured a torrid start, falling to 17th, while Gabriel Bortoleto ended his race early after hitting the barrier halfway around the opening lap — triggering an early Safety Car.
As Lap 2 began, the order was Norris leading Antonelli, Leclerc, Piastri, Hadjar, Lawson, George Russell, Pierre Gasly, Oliver Bearman, and Fernando Alonso.
Hamilton’s troubles worsened: after contact with Carlos Sainz at Turn 1, he clipped Franco Colapinto, losing his front wing just before pit entry. Bortoleto, meanwhile, retired after contact with Lance Stroll at Turn 10, breaking his Sauber’s steering arm.
Leclerc Out After Three-Way Clash
Racing resumed on Lap 6 with Norris leading the pack. Antonelli found himself squeezed between Piastri and Leclerc, the three making contact into Turn 1. Antonelli was pitched sideways, while Leclerc retired with front-left suspension damage, prompting a Virtual Safety Car.
Replays showed Antonelli’s sluggish restart and Piastri locking a brake as the trio crowded the apex. The stewards deemed Piastri at fault, handing him a 10-second penalty.
Verstappen, who had climbed to 13th, pitted under the VSC with a puncture, dropping to last. Racing resumed on Lap 9 with DRS immediately active, Norris leading Piastri and Antonelli.
Mid-Race Battles and Strategy Calls
Norris pulled away as Russell overtook Hadjar for fourth on Lap 12. Bearman soon passed Lawson for sixth, while Verstappen carved through the field, dispatching Hamilton and Colapinto with ease.
Yuki Tsunoda received a 10-second penalty for spinning Stroll, while Antonelli and others began to pit around Lap 21. A miscommunication saw Tsunoda incorrectly serve his own penalty, forcing him to do it again later — not that it mattered, as he ran at the back.
Hamilton’s woes continued as he collected a five-second penalty for contact with Colapinto before eventually retiring.
Norris stopped on Lap 30, switching to softs and committing to a two-stop strategy. He rejoined behind Verstappen but easily passed the Red Bull into Turn 1 on Lap 33. Piastri stayed out longer, eyeing a risky one-stop strategy that would require managing hard tyres to the end.
Verstappen made a second stop on Lap 35, dropping to 10th before quickly climbing back to sixth. Piastri served his 10-second penalty during his Lap 38 stop, rejoining in eighth behind Lawson.
Final Stints and Verstappen’s Late Charge
By Lap 50, Norris led Verstappen by 10.8 seconds, with both Mercedes drivers having made their final stops. Verstappen began closing the gap, prompting McLaren to react — Norris pitted for mediums, rejoining in third behind Piastri.
A lap later, Piastri stopped again, falling to seventh as Verstappen inherited the lead ahead of Antonelli. But the Dutchman’s soft tyres began to fade, and McLaren’s pace advantage loomed large.
Norris swept back into the lead as Verstappen pitted for fresh softs with 16 laps remaining — a bold gamble to chase down the leaders. He emerged into traffic but quickly cleared Lawson and Gasly before hunting the Mercedes duo.
With 10 laps to go, Verstappen stormed past Russell and set his sights on Antonelli. Despite relentless pressure, the 18-year-old Italian defended superbly, repelling Verstappen’s every attempt, even as the Red Bull danced in his mirrors on the final lap.
A Championship-Defining Victory
Norris crossed the line 10.4 seconds clear to claim victory, ahead of Antonelli’s career-best second place and Verstappen’s storming third from last on the grid. Russell resisted Piastri for fourth, with Bearman an impressive sixth.
The result puts Norris within touching distance of the championship, the Interlagos round likely to prove a defining moment in the title fight.
Sao Paulo Grand Prix results
1. Lando Norris, McLaren, 71 Laps
2. Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, +10.388
3. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, +10.75
4. George Russell, Mercedes, +15.267
5. Oscar Piastri, McLaren, +15.749
6. Oliver Bearman, Haas, +29.63
7. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, +52.642
8. Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls, +52.873
9. Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, +53.324
10. Pierre Gasly, Alpine, +53.914
11. Alex Albon, Williams, +54.184
12. Esteban Ocon, Haas, +54.696
13. Carlos Sainz, Williams, +55.42
14. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, +55.766
15. Franco Colapinto, Alpine, +57.777
16. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, +58.247
17. Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull, +69.176
18. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, DNF
19. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, DNF
20. Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber, DNF
