Lando Norris Wins Sao Paulo Grand Prix; Extends Championship Lead to 24 Points
Lando Norris extended his lead in the Drivers’ Championship after clinching victory with a commanding performance at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The McLaren driver finished 10 seconds ahead of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, who secured a career-best second place, while Max Verstappen staged a remarkable recovery to finish third after starting from the pit lane.
Norris, who started from pole position, maintained his lead through a chaotic first few laps that included a Safety Car deployment following a crash by Kick Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto. The race was further complicated when Oscar Piastri collided with Antonelli, causing damage that forced Charles Leclerc to retire from the race. Piastri received a 10-second time penalty for the incident, impacting his chances.
As the race progressed, Norris showcased his skill and composure, steadily building a significant lead. Meanwhile, Verstappen, who had suffered an early puncture, made a series of impressive overtakes, climbing from the back of the grid to challenge the frontrunners.
While Norris crossed the finish line to claim his seventh victory of the season, Antonelli and Verstappen engaged in a fierce battle for second. Antonelli managed to fend off Verstappen’s advances, securing his spot on the podium. George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes, just ahead of Piastri in fifth, who was left to ponder what might have been without the penalty.
The race results highlighted a strong performance from Haas’ Ollie Bearman, who finished sixth, while Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar rounded out the top eight. Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly secured the final points in ninth and tenth, respectively.
Norris expressed his joy after the race, dedicating his win to his mentor, Gil de Ferran. “It was an amazing race, and it’s nice to win here in Brazil. This one was for Gil – I’m sure he’d be very proud,” he said.
