Norris wins gripping race after Antonelli and Russell errors

- Published McLaren's Lando Norris beat Max Verstappen to win a gripping Sao Paulo Grand Prix in which new world champion Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes team-mate George Russell both made critical mistakes in difficult conditions. asserted

Norris, who started from pole, lost the lead to Antonelli at the start and dropped back when the track was wet. But an earlier pit stop for dry-weather tyres put Norris on Antonelli's tail and the Italian spun away the lead at the first corner. After reclaiming first place, Norris dominated through a late shower of rain which required a switch back to wet-weather tyres to take his first win since the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August. asserted

A few laps before Antonelli lost the lead, Russell, who started seventh, spun exiting the pits and lost 15 to 20 seconds after working his way back into podium contention. asserted

Despite their travails, Russell and Antonelli finished fourth and fifth to clinch the constructors' championship for Mercedes a week after the Italian had tied up the drivers' title. asserted

Norris had too much pace for Verstappen whether the track was dry or wet and stamped his authority on the race. But the Dutchman put in another supreme drive in changeable conditions in Interlagos to take second after starting in 21st place. asserted

The key stories of the race were: An accomplished performance from Norris in a revived McLaren to take his first win for more than two months A superb comeback from Verstappen from an engine penalty A difficult day for both Mercedes, notwithstanding the greater glory of the constructors' win, and Ferrari in the tricky conditions Norris had started from his first pole position since the Spanish Grand Prix in September, but lost first place immediately after Antonelli, alongside him on the front row, leaped into the lead. The new world champion pulled away to build a five-second advantage in 10 laps as he began to look as if he might crown his achievement with a win at the first attempt. Antonelli's lead was more than eight seconds by lap 13 but the track was drying and three laps later Norris came in for dry-weather slick tyres. uncertain

The Italian followed him in a lap later, but Norris had gained so much time with his earlier stop that he was on the Mercedes' gearbox when it rejoined. asserted

Antonelli defended for a couple of laps but he was complaining over the radio that the car felt strange under acceleration, and on lap 20 he lost control on the entry to Turn One, spinning and handing the lead to Norris. asserted

That left Norris three seconds ahead of Hadjar with Verstappen now close behind Antonelli, who ran wide again at Turn One four laps later and handed third place to the Dutchman. asserted

Hadjar had every bit as much pace as Verstappen, but was not as consistent and made too many mistakes, and within 10 laps the team leader was on the Frenchman's tail. asserted

Red Bull ordered Hadjar to let Verstappen by on lap 39 in the hope the four-time champion could close on Norris. But the Briton had too much pace and held off Verstappen, switching to another set of soft tyres before needing intermediates when the rain came down increasingly heavily in the final 10 laps. uncertain

Norris said: "It was a very tough race - very, very tough. asserted

Not the best of launches off the line, but a lot of challenges today with the conditions and going on slicks in the wet is always tough. asserted

"The main thing today was that I just kept it cool and I did not make any mistakes. asserted

I had the pace when I needed to so it was good. asserted

Verstappen had made speedy progress up from his position at the back. asserted

Initially, Lewis Hamilton, who had started alongside the Red Bull, progressed faster, and was ninth by lap two, but Verstappen soon got into his stride and passed the Ferrari within a further two laps and continued his forward progress. asserted

By lap 10, Verstappen was up to a remarkable sixth place and right behind the Racing Bulls of Liam Lawson, with Hadjar ahead chasing Russell, who by then was up to third after starting seventh. asserted

But Russell dashed his own hopes when he stopped on lap 16, at the same time as Norris, and spun in the pit lane exit which mirrors on the inside of the track the run through the Senna S first two corners. asserted

Russell was broadside in the pit lane as rivals squeezed past him left and right as he manoeuvred his way straight again and rejoined the race, now down in 10th. asserted

After that, he drove well with strong pace to put himself back in contention and a fourth-place finish was a strong result in the circumstances. asserted

He had more pace than Antonelli in the closing laps and the team ordered them to swap positions as they sealed their ninth constructors' title, and first since 2021. asserted

McLaren's Oscar Piastri was sixth, nowhere near Norris' pace, while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc took seventh after a topsy-turvy race ahead of Lawson and Hamilton. asserted

After his initial burst up the field, the seven-time champion lacked pace, despite pushing correctly for an early stop for slicks, and could make no more ground. uncertain

Although leading Leclerc for much of the race, Hamilton fell behind him with his second stop for slicks, while Leclerc hung on for the change to intermediates to consolidate his position. asserted

Audi's Nico Hulkenberg took the final point for 10th place. asserted

The season is due to end with a final triple header, starting with the Las Vegas Grand Prix. asserted

The night race is due to start at 04:00 GMT on Sunday, 22 November. asserted