Lando Norris wins Brazilian Grand Prix as Mercedes secures constructors' championship
McLaren's Lando Norris claimed victory at Interlagos, while Mercedes clinched the Formula 1 constructors' title with three races remaining.
Lando Norris secured a dominant win at the Brazilian Grand Prix in São Paulo, extending McLaren's strong performance after taking pole position on Saturday. Norris led most of the race, handling changing wet and dry conditions with precision, and earned the Driver of the Day award. Max Verstappen made a notable comeback through the field, a feat he has repeated in previous years, but finished behind Norris and received the same award.
Mercedes completed a remarkable season by winning the constructors' championship with three races left, a turnaround from its fourth-place finish in 2024. The team’s new car delivered early-season advantage, though Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari have narrowed the gap as the year progressed.
Ferrari struggled with pace at Interlagos, with team principal Frédéric Vasseur acknowledging balance issues on Friday. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished seventh and ninth, respectively, highlighting ongoing performance challenges, particularly a lack of top speed.
George Russell moved from seventh to third after a grid penalty but spun on a wet pit-exit after changing tyres, ending his race in the wrong direction. He later recovered to finish solidly but missed a podium opportunity.
A new agreement confirms the Interlagos circuit will remain on the Formula 1 calendar through at least 2035, ensuring the classic venue continues to host races despite calls for new street circuits.