Lando Norris Dominates São Paulo Grand Prix to Extend Title Lead as Verstappen Storms to Podium from Pit Lane

São Paulo, Brazil – November 9, 2025:
McLaren’s Lando Norris delivered a flawless performance to claim victory in the 2025 FIA Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix, leading from lights to flag to secure his seventh win of the season and strengthen his grip on the Drivers’ Championship. The British driver crossed the line 10.3 seconds ahead of Mercedes’ rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli, while Max Verstappen produced a stunning comeback drive from a pit lane start to clinch third place for Red Bull Racing.

Title rival Oscar Piastri endured a tougher afternoon, finishing fifth after receiving a 10-second penalty for an early collision with Antonelli, allowing Norris to extend his lead in the championship to 24 points with just three rounds remaining.

Flawless Start: Norris Takes Control Early

When the lights went out at Interlagos, Norris made a clean getaway from pole to hold the lead ahead of Antonelli, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, and Piastri. Behind them, chaos unfolded. Local favourite Gabriel Bortoleto was forced into the barriers at Turn 4 after contact with Lance Stroll, bringing out the Safety Car after just two laps.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton’s race quickly unravelled. The Ferrari driver suffered front wing damage following contact with Carlos Sainz’s Williams and then clashed with Franco Colapinto’s Alpine, forcing an early pit stop before retiring with accident damage on Lap 37.

Lap 6 Drama: Piastri Collides with Antonelli and Leclerc

The restart brought fresh drama as Piastri attempted a move on Antonelli into Turn 1. With Leclerc on the outside and Antonelli unable to yield, the McLaren driver locked up and clipped the Mercedes, sending Antonelli into Leclerc’s Ferrari. The contact ended Leclerc’s race after he lost a wheel, triggering a Virtual Safety Car.

Verstappen, who had already climbed to P13, suffered a slow puncture during this phase, forcing an early switch to Medium tyres that dropped him to the back of the field — but it was only the beginning of a sensational recovery drive.

Norris Cruises as Verstappen Charges Through

Once racing resumed, Norris quickly rebuilt his lead over Piastri, who was later handed a 10-second time penalty for causing the earlier collision. The Briton’s smooth pace and tyre management left the chasing pack powerless.

Verstappen, meanwhile, was on a mission. Cutting through the midfield with clinical precision, he rose into the top five before pitting for a second set of Mediums. When Norris made his first stop for Softs, the Dutchman temporarily took the lead — but the McLaren driver soon regained it with a decisive move on fresher tyres.

In the closing laps, Verstappen switched to a new set of Softs and charged past George Russell into Turn 1 on Lap 63 to snatch P3. He then hunted down Antonelli but fell just short as the young Mercedes driver held firm for his best career finish.

São Paulo GP 2025 – Race Results

Championship Shake-Up: McLaren Stretches Its Advantage

With Norris taking the win and Piastri finishing fifth, the Drivers’ Championship standings now show the Briton 24 points clear at the top. Verstappen’s stunning recovery keeps him third, 49 points adrift.

In the Constructors’ standings, McLaren maintains a firm lead, while Ferrari’s double DNF drops them from P2 to P4. Mercedes climb to second place on 398 points, ahead of Red Bull Racing on 366 and Ferrari on 362.

A Perfect Weekend for Norris, Pressure Builds for Piastri

Lando Norris once again proved his championship credentials with another complete performance under pressure. His pace, composure, and flawless strategy execution have set the tone heading into the final three races of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Next stop: Las Vegas, where the night lights of Nevada will host another crucial chapter in the F1 title battle.