Mercedes secured their ninth Formula One constructors’ world championship as Lando Norris won a rain-soaked Sao Paulo Grand Prix from pole position for the second consecutive year.
The result completed a title double for Mercedes, who claimed their first team championship since 2021 a week after 20-year-old Kimi Antonelli became the youngest drivers’ champion with four races remaining.
Norris held his nerve through a race that began and ended in wet conditions, taking the chequered flag 14.602 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. The McLaren driver’s victory was his 14th in Formula One and his 50th podium finish.
Verstappen produced one of the performances of the afternoon, rising from 21st on the grid after engine penalties to finish second. His Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar completed the podium.
George Russell was fourth for Mercedes, with Antonelli fifth and setting the fastest lap. Both Mercedes drivers had led early on but made costly mistakes during an eventful race at Interlagos.
Mercedes needed to outscore Ferrari by only three points to secure the constructors’ crown. Ferrari never mounted a serious challenge, with Charles Leclerc classified eighth after a post-race penalty and Lewis Hamilton ninth in his 400th race.
“It was a very tough race, very, very tough,” Norris said. “A lot of challenges today with the conditions and going onto slicks in the wet is always tough, especially when you are pushing for the lead and trying to catch up a little bit.”
He added: “The main thing today was I kept it cool and didn’t make any mistakes and had the pace when I needed to. Nice to be back on the top step and what a place to do it as well.”
The Briton lost the lead to Antonelli when the start lights went out but recovered to win for the first time since taking victory at the Dutch Grand Prix in August. Brazilian football forward Neymar waved the chequered flag.
Mercedes, whose engines also power McLaren, have now drawn level with Williams on nine constructors’ championships.
“It was a very strong beginning of the season, and that kind of got us over the line,” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said. “These last few races have been challenging at times. Today it was difficult, but overall, I’m so proud of the organisation.”
Oscar Piastri finished sixth for McLaren, followed by Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson, who had started third and spent the first five laps in second place. Nico Hulkenberg claimed the final point for Audi.
Verstappen’s second-place finish extended his advantage over Russell in the battle for second in the drivers’ standings to 17 points, while Russell moved up to third.
