Norris wins wet Sao Paulo GP as Mercedes seal constructors’ title

McLaren’s Lando Norris recovered from a poor start to claim a dominant victory in a wet Sao Paulo Grand Prix that saw Mercedes seal the 2026 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship.

Max Verstappen produced a signature stunning drive in the wet to come from 21st on the grid to finish second, with his team-mate Isack Hadjar completing a double-podium for Red Bull.

Newly crowned world champion Kimi Antonelli had looked on course for victory after taking the lead at the start but ultimately had to settle for fifth behind his team-mate George Russell, which was more than enough for Mercedes to establish an unassailable lead over Ferrari in the constructors’ standings with three rounds to spare.

A ninth constructors’ title for Mercedes, their first since claiming eight in a row from 2014-2021, brings the Silver Arrows level with Williams in third on the sport’s all-time list of winners.

Norris lost the lead to Antonelli at the start as the pole-sitter dropped to third on the opening lap, but a mid-race switch to slick tyres as the track dried swung the race.

Antonelli had led by six seconds before the stops but delayed pitting by a lap and then struggled with his tyre temperatures, spinning off to give the lead back to Norris before also being overtaken by both Red Bulls.

The rain returned in the closing stages to force the entire field back onto intermediate tyres, but Norris handled the conditions masterfully to take the chequered flag just short of 15 seconds clear of Verstappen.

More to follow…

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