Norris wins Sao Paulo Grand Prix as Mercedes clinch constructors' title
Written by AI from aljazeera.com's report. Not checked by a person.
Lando Norris won the wet Sao Paulo Grand Prix from pole position, while Mercedes secured their ninth constructors' championship, their first since 2021.
McLaren's Lando Norris won a rainy Sao Paulo Grand Prix from pole position, the second year in a row he has done so. Mercedes secured their ninth Formula One constructors' world championship on Sunday, their first team title since 2021. It came a week after 20-year-old Italian Kimi Antonelli became the youngest drivers' champion, with four races remaining.
Norris finished 14.602 seconds ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who started 21st on the grid because of engine penalties. Verstappen was named Driver of the Day. Red Bull's Isack Hadjar was third, with Mercedes' George Russell fourth and Antonelli fifth, who also set the fastest lap. Antonelli had led at the start, and the report says both Mercedes drivers made costly errors.
Mercedes needed to score only three points more than Ferrari to clinch the title. Charles Leclerc was eighth after a post-race penalty dropped him one place, and Lewis Hamilton was ninth in his 400th race.
Norris, the 2025 world champion, called it a very tough race. It was his 14th career win and 50th podium, and McLaren's first victory since the Dutch Grand Prix in August. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said the strong start to the season got the team over the line. Mercedes have now equalled Williams' nine constructors' titles.
