Lando Norris extended his lead at the top of the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship with a commanding victory at the São Paulo Grand Prix. The McLaren driver secured his seventh win of the season and second consecutive triumph, finishing comfortably ahead of Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli and a resurgent Max Verstappen, who charged from the pit lane to third.
Norris now leads team-mate Oscar Piastri by 24 points with just three races remaining, placing him firmly in control of the 2025 title race. Piastri finished fifth after serving a 10-second penalty for a collision early in the race, while Verstappen’s incredible comeback kept Red Bull’s hopes of victory alive — at least on the day.
Norris Completes the Perfect Weekend
The weekend belonged entirely to Norris. After taking pole position on Friday and winning the sprint on Saturday, the Briton produced a flawless lights-to-flag performance on Sunday. Despite early interruptions from a safety car and a virtual safety car, he controlled proceedings with ease, executing a two-stop strategy to perfection and finishing well clear of his rivals.
“To be honest, I didn’t think we were the quickest today, so I’m glad to take home the win,” said Norris. “It’s a great result, but seeing how quick Max was, I’m a little disappointed we couldn’t match that pace. The focus now is to stay consistent and keep pushing — nothing’s over yet.”
The victory brought Norris 33 points across the weekend and marked his most complete Grand Prix of the season — one he dedicated to former McLaren advisor Gil de Ferran, whose influence was instrumental in the team’s resurgence before his passing in 2023.
Verstappen Steals the Show with Heroic Recovery
While Norris took the headlines for victory, Verstappen stole them for spectacle. Starting from the pit lane after Red Bull opted to change his engine and setup, the Dutchman climbed into the midfield by lap 7 before an early puncture sent him back to the tail of the pack.
Benefiting from a stop under the virtual safety car, Verstappen carved through the field with relentless pace. A daring move around the outside of George Russell into Turn 1 secured him third, and he spent the closing laps hunting down Antonelli for second — falling just short as his tyres began to fade.
“To be on the podium from the pit lane — I didn’t expect that at all,” Verstappen said. “Even with the puncture, the car felt great later on. It’s an incredible result, and I’m very happy with how we recovered.”
The result, however, leaves him 49 points behind Norris and effectively out of title contention. Still, his performance will go down as one of the finest drives of the season.
Piastri’s Challenge Fades
Oscar Piastri’s championship hopes took another hit in Brazil. The Australian collided with Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc during the early laps, earning a 10-second penalty that dropped him out of podium contention. Although he recovered to finish fifth, he has now gone five races without finishing ahead of Norris.
Piastri’s lack of form in the second half of the season has shifted McLaren’s focus toward securing both championships, with Norris now nearly a full race win clear at the top.
Bearman Impresses Again
Haas rookie Oliver Bearman continued his strong run of form, finishing sixth after another mature, well-judged drive. Behind him, Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson led home a tight midfield battle ahead of Isack Hadjar, Nico Hülkenberg, and Pierre Gasly, while Alex Albon, Esteban Ocon, Carlos Sainz, and Fernando Alonso completed the points-paying positions.
Analysis: Norris Pulls Clear in the Title Fight
With just three rounds remaining — Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi — Lando Norris has taken a decisive step toward his first world title. His calm control in São Paulo and consistent form since mid-season have made him the man to beat. Piastri will need something special to fight back, while Verstappen’s heroic recovery shows he’ll be there to capitalise on any mistake.
What’s Next?
Formula 1 now heads to the bright lights of Las Vegasfor Round 22 of the 2025 season. With the championship entering its final stretch, expect fireworks on and off the Strip as Norris, Piastri, and Verstappen continue their battle for glory. Don’t miss your chance to witness the finale — secure your Abu Dhabi F1 tickets today.
