Lando Norris claimed victory at the 2026 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, navigating a challenging wet-dry-wet race to take his third win of the season. Meanwhile, Mercedes secured the 2026 Constructors' Championship thanks to strong finishes from George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
The race unfolded over 71 laps under variable weather conditions, with Norris starting from pole position and maintaining a consistent pace to finish 14.6 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. Verstappen made an impressive recovery from 21st on the grid to finish second, while Red Bull Racing secured a double podium as teammate Isack Hadjar took third place. Mercedes drivers Russell and Antonelli finished fourth and fifth respectively, ensuring the team clinched the Constructors' title for the year.
Antonelli showed early promise by leading the race but faced difficulties including two spins, one occurring before the race start. He was also subject to a post-race investigation related to an incident in the pit lane. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc received a five-second penalty for causing a collision with Liam Lawson, which affected his final position. Lewis Hamilton marked his 400th Formula 1® start by climbing from 20th on the grid to finish ninth, despite recovering from a spin during the race.
The race was marked by complex tyre strategies as teams adapted to the changing weather. Drivers switched between wet, slick, and intermediate tyres multiple times, responding to the return of rain late in the race. Several drivers experienced spins and incidents, highlighting the demanding conditions on track. Norris described the race as very tough, emphasizing his focus on avoiding mistakes and managing his pace carefully throughout.
Other notable performances included strong drives from various teams such as Audi, Williams, Aston Martin, Alpine, Haas, and Cadillac, all navigating the tricky conditions. The event showcased the challenges that variable weather can present in Formula 1®, testing driver skill and team strategy alike.
The Formula 1® season continues with the Las Vegas Grand Prix scheduled for November 20-22, 2026, where teams will look to build on their performances from Sao Paulo.