A dramatic and chaotic São Paulo Grand Prix saw Lando Norris deliver a commanding performance, securing a crucial victory that extends his lead in the drivers’ championship. The McLaren driver mastered the challenges of the Interlagos circuit, fending off a spirited late charge from his rivals to take the win.
The race was turned on its head by an early Safety Car period, which triggered a cascade of strategic gambles and on-track incidents. A multi-car clash at the restart eliminated several contenders, including Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, and reshuffled the order. From there, the action rarely relented, featuring bold overtakes and strategic duels throughout the field.
While Norris controlled the race from the front, the battle for the remaining podium spots provided relentless drama. Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli secured a career-best second place with a mature drive, holding firm under intense pressure in the closing laps.
The drive of the day, however, belonged to Max Verstappen. Starting from the pit lane after a disastrous qualifying, the Red Bull driver embarked on a spectacular charge through the pack. Executing a series of audacious overtakes, he carved his way to a remarkable third-place finish, narrowly missing out on snatching second in the final moments.
“It’s about blocking out the noise and just focusing on the job,” Norris remarked after the race, crediting his team for providing a competitive car. Verstappen, while satisfied with the damage limitation, acknowledged the challenge. “We had to fight for every position, but it was a good recovery,” he stated.
The result significantly bolsters Norris’s championship ambitions with only a handful of events remaining. The final standings saw George Russell fourth for Mercedes, with Norris’s McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri recovering to fifth after serving a controversial penalty. The Haas of Ollie Bearman impressed in sixth.
With the title fight intensifying, the Formula One circus now looks ahead to the next round, where the championship battle is poised to reach a new crescendo.