McLaren driver Lando Norris was so excited after winning Sunday’s rainy Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos that his usual Champagne celebration went awry, while Mercedes had another weekend to remember after securing its ninth F1 constructors’ title.
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain poses with the trophy after winning the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026 (AP Photo/Ettore Chiereguini) Norris, the 2025 Formula 1 champion, won Sunday from pole position with the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar completing the podium.
Norris had his second consecutive victory in Brazil after a race he led for 47 of 71 laps, with Brazil soccer great Neymar waving the checkered flag. The British driver briefly lost the lead to new F1 champion Kimi Antonelli, but got it back after the Italian spun.
“It was one of my best races in terms of execution,” Norris said. “It was a race where things could easily change.”
Antonelli, who clinched the drivers’ title last weekend, finished fifth, one position behind his teammate George Russell. Their results were more than enough to secure the constructors’ title for Mercedes — its first since 2021 — against the rival Ferraris of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
Antonelli expressed disappointment in his own performance.
“I’m very disappointed for the race. I’m very angry to be fair, but I’m going to put all this aside for now because the team clinched the title,” Antonelli said.
Mercedes celebrates Mercedes celebrated the constructors’ title on a separate podium. It now has 652 points against Ferrari’s 510 and can’t be caught. The Italian team lost two points after the race because Leclerc received a 5-second punishment for his clash with Racing Bull’s Liam Lawson. The Ferrari driver was demoted from seventh to eighth place.
Antonelli was also summoned by stewards over an unsafe release. He kept his position after a 5-second punishment as he finished more than 20 seconds ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
“It was a very strong beginning of the season that got us over the line,” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said. “I never thought this was eve
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