/GettyImages-2304160279.webp)
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix was a thrilling event, with Lando Norris emerging victorious in a wet-dry-wet race. Max Verstappen finished second, and Isack Hadjar took third place, securing a double podium for Red Bull.
The victory marked a significant milestone for Norris, who controlled the front of the field from pole position. Meanwhile, Mercedes sealed the 2026 Constructors' Championship behind strong points finishes from George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
Lando Norris won the Sao Paulo Grand Prix from pole position on November 8 at Autódromo José Carlos Pace, leading Max Verstappen across the finish line by 14.6 seconds. The victory at Interlagos delivered high drama across a turbulent afternoon featuring shifting weather and multiple incidents. While Norris controlled the front of the field, Mercedes sealed the 2026 Constructors' Championship behind strong points finishes from George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, who crossed the line fourth and fifth respectively. Lewis Hamilton finished ninth on his 400th Formula 1 start, starting from 20th on the grid. Nico Hulkenberg claimed the final point for Audi in tenth, and Rafael Camara finished 20th on his F1 debut for Haas.
Verstappen Charging Through Field
Max Verstappen delivered a remarkable drive to finish second after starting from 21st on the grid, slicing through the spray and navigating treacherous track conditions. Isack Hadjar completed the podium in third, securing a double podium result for Red Bull on a day defined by continuous grip challenges and sudden downpours. "It was so, so difficult, so challenging, especially switching from the inters to the soft tyre, avoiding the traps," Hadjar said of the fluctuating weather conditions. Hadjar admitted the race pushed drivers to their absolute limits as standing water threatened control in every corner. "It was extremely difficult, especially in the pit lane you saw how tricky it was to drive, and then more rain at the end." The pre-race tension saw Valtteri Bottas wheeled off the grid due to a mechanical issue on his Cadillac, and Lance Stroll retired mid-race as mechanical gremlins caught out multiple teams throughout the afternoon.
The top 10 finishers included Norris, Verstappen, Hadjar, Russell, Antonelli, Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez, Carlos Sainz, Hamilton, and Hulkenberg. The results marked a significant milestone for Mercedes, who clinched the 2026 Constructors' Championship with 400 points. Red Bull secured 350 points, and Ferrari took 300 points. The Sao Paulo Grand Prix was the 20th round of the 2026 Formula 1 season, with 15 rounds remaining.
Milestone Drives And Retirements
Further down the order, Lewis Hamilton fought from 20th on the grid to finish ninth in his 400th Formula 1 start. Nico Hulkenberg claimed the final point for Audi in tenth, and Rafael Camara made his F1 debut for Haas, finishing 20th after a steep learning curve. "Happy to be standing in third today, but I need to keep making a bit less mistakes because I could have avoided a little awkward situation with Max," Hadjar noted regarding a tight on-track battle. The race saw 24 drivers compete, with 18 finishing the event. The fastest lap was completed in 1:35:23.504, and the average speed was 200 km/h. The Sao Paulo Grand Prix was attended by 100,000 spectators, who witnessed a thrilling event with 10 overtakes and 5 retirements.
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix marked a significant milestone in the 2026 Formula 1 season, with Lando Norris taking the top spot and Mercedes sealing the Constructors' Championship. The event saw 20 drivers finish the race, with 4 retirements and 10 overtakes. The top 5 finishers were Norris, Verstappen, Hadjar, Russell, and Antonelli, with Hamilton finishing ninth on his 400th start. The season will continue with the next round, where teams will look to improve their performance and secure valuable points.