Interlagos rarely lets a Grand Prix settle, and Sunday was no exception. Lando Norris converted pole position into victory at the 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix on November 8, crossing the line 14.602 seconds clear of Max Verstappen after 71 laps of drizzle, dry running and, finally, proper rain. Isack Hadjar completed a double podium for Red Bull, and fourth and fifth for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli confirmed Mercedes as the 2026 Constructors' Champions, according to the FIA's race report.
Three tyre calls, one clean drive
The race started on intermediates, switched to slicks as the circuit dried, then went back to intermediates when the rain arrived late. Norris did not lead from the start. Antonelli, the newly crowned drivers' champion, took the lead into Turn 1 from second on the grid, and Liam Lawson swept around the outside of the McLaren to run second for Racing Bulls in the opening laps.
The order turned after the first round of stops. Antonelli reported a problem with his car and spun at Turn 1 on Lap 20, which handed Norris the lead. From there, the McLaren driver steadily built his margin, came through the second stops and the final switch to wets without a mistake, and won in 1:35:23.504, per the official classification.
It was his third win of the season and the 50th podium of his career, according to McLaren's race report, and it made it back-to-back São Paulo victories for Norris.
Verstappen, from the back to the podium
The drive of the afternoon came from further back. Verstappen started 21st and was up to 13th by the end of the opening sequence of corners. He reached eighth by Lap 5, moved past his team-mate Hadjar into Turn 1 on Lap 38 and held second to the flag. Hadjar took third, the second podium of his rookie campaign.
Lewis Hamilton, making his 400th Formula 1 appearance, had his own climb. He gained eleven places on the opening lap from 20th on the grid, survived a late spin in the rain and finished ninth for Ferrari. Oscar Piastri rose from tenth on the grid to sixth for McLaren, and Nico Hülkenberg scored the final point for Audi.
A title for Mercedes
Antonelli's afternoon was messy, with a spin, two trips wide at Turn 1 and an unsafe-release penalty recorded in the classification. Still, Russell and the champion brought home enough points for Mercedes to wrap up the constructors' crown. Paired with Antonelli's drivers' title in Mexico City, it completes a clean sweep of the 2026 championships for the Brackley team. The background on that first title sits in the story of Antonelli becoming Formula 1's youngest-ever champion.
Where the season goes next
With both titles settled, the remaining rounds are about wins, pride and a very good party. The calendar heads to the Strip for the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 19–21, then Qatar on November 27–29 and the Abu Dhabi finale on December 4–6. The full Las Vegas weekend, night by night, is in The Global Guest List's guide.
