Mercedes Secures Ninth F1 Constructors' Title as Norris Wins in São Paulo
Mercedes secured its ninth Formula 1 Constructors' Championship at the São Paulo Grand Prix, completing a double after Kimi Antonelli's title win. Lando Norris won the rain-hit race for McLaren ahead of Max Verstappen.
Mercedes secured its ninth Formula 1 Constructors' Championship on Sunday, completing a double just a week after Italian driver Kimi Antonelli became the sport's youngest-ever champion at age 20. Entering the São Paulo Grand Prix needing to outscore Ferrari by just three points, the German manufacturer sealed the title without facing any real pressure.
Ferrari failed to mount a serious challenge, as Charles Leclerc finished seventh and Lewis Hamilton crossed the line in ninth. In contrast, Mercedes locked down solid points at the sharp end of the grid, with George Russell taking fourth place and the newly crowned champion Antonelli finishing fifth. With this triumph, Mercedes matched Williams with nine constructors' titles, sitting third all-time behind Ferrari with 16 and McLaren with 10.
Lando Norris claimed victory from pole position, securing his third win of the season as football star Neymar waved the checkered flag at Interlagos. The McLaren driver finished 14.602 seconds ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, while teammate Isack Hadjar rounded out the podium in third following a dramatic rain-affected race.
Oscar Piastri finished sixth for McLaren, and Liam Lawson delivered an impressive performance for Racing Bulls to take eighth between the two Ferraris. The New Zealand driver started third and held second place through the opening five laps. Nico Hülkenberg secured the final point for Audi in a chaotic grand prix marked by spins, slippery conditions, and shifting weather.
"It was a very tough race, very, very tough," said Norris, the 2025 world champion, after claiming his 14th career victory and 50th podium, as well as his team's first win since August. "There were a lot of challenges today with the conditions, and switching to slicks when the track is damp is always tricky, especially when you are pushing to lead and trying to close a gap. The main thing today was keeping a cool head, not making mistakes, and having the pace when I needed it."
Mercedes celebrated their first constructors' crown since 2021. "We had a very strong start to the season and that largely carried us across the line. The last few races have been challenging at times and today was tough, but overall I am so proud of the organization," said team principal Toto Wolff.
