Lando Norris Wins Sao Paulo Grand Prix As Mercedes Clinch F1 Constructors' Title

ISTANBUL, Nov 9 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- McLaren's Lando Norris recovered from a difficult start to win the Formula 1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday, while Mercedes secured their ninth constructors' championship after George Russell and Kimi Antonelli finished fourth and fifth, respectively, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

Norris, who started from pole position at the Interlagos circuit in Brazil, overcame an early setback to take the checkered flag ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who staged an impressive recovery from 21st on the grid to finish second.

Verstappen's teammate Isack Hadjar completed the podium in third place.

The 71-lap race began with Antonelli overtaking Norris before the first corner, while Liam Lawson also passed the McLaren driver, dropping him to third.

Norris gradually recovered his pace and reclaimed the lead on lap 20 after Antonelli spun at Turn 1 following a pit stop to switch to dry tires.

Verstappen, meanwhile, charged through the field from 21st on the grid and moved into second place on lap 38 after Red Bull instructed its two drivers to swap positions.

Norris maintained control at the front, extending his advantage to more than 14 seconds in the closing stages to secure victory despite changing weather conditions and multiple pit stops.

Hadjar finished third, followed by Russell and Antonelli, while McLaren's Oscar Piastri took sixth place.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished seventh, while teammate Lewis Hamilton came home ninth.

Meanwhile, Mercedes clinched their ninth Formula 1 constructors' title, ending a five-year wait since their previous triumph in 2021.

Russell's fourth-place finish and Antonelli's fifth place were enough to seal the championship, regardless of a post-race investigation into Antonelli's unsafe pit release.

The German team began the season with a one-two finish in Australia and won the opening six Grands Prix, building a commanding advantage in the standings.

Mercedes have recorded 12 Grand Prix victories and 24 podium finishes this season, with Antonelli having already clinched his maiden drivers' world title at the Mexican Grand Prix.

Sunday's result completed a championship double for Mercedes, marking their return to the top of Formula 1.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU