Norris takes control of title race with Sao Paulo win

With a commanding win at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, McLaren’s Lando Norris has expanded his lead in the drivers’ championship to 24 points ahead of teammate and rival Oscar Piastri.

Despite Norris securing back-to-back victories and positioning himself strongly with only three races left this season, the spotlight was also on Max Verstappen’s extraordinary comeback drive.

Starting from the pit lane and overcoming an early puncture, Verstappen clawed his way to a podium finish, crossing the line third behind Mercedes’ rising star Kimi Antonelli.

However, Verstappen trails Norris by 49 points, making his chances of clinching the title increasingly slim.

Meanwhile, Piastri ended the race in fifth place after receiving a 10-second penalty for causing a collision, battling fiercely with Mercedes’ George Russell in the final laps.

Key takeaways from an enthralling Sao Paulo Grand Prix include:

• Norris’ flawless weekend performance brings him closer to his maiden world championship.
• Verstappen’s relentless recovery drive stands out as one of his most impressive efforts this season.
• Piastri’s championship aspirations appear to be fading as the season nears its conclusion.

Securing his seventh victory in 21 races this year, 25-year-old Lando Norris delivered a masterclass at Sao Paulo, describing the weekend as “perfect.”

From clinching pole position to converting it into a race win, Norris controlled the event from start to finish, adding to his sprint race success on Saturday.

Accumulating 33 points over the weekend, Norris has firmly tightened his grip on the championship lead.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect us to be the fastest on track today, so I’m thrilled to take the win,” Norris reflected.

“It’s a fantastic result, but seeing how quick Max was, I’m a bit disappointed we couldn’t match that pace.”

On his championship mindset, he added, “There’s still some racing left, and things can change quickly, as we saw today. I’m focusing on my own performance, keeping my head down, and pushing forward.”

Norris got off to a strong start, leading from the first lap and navigating through a turbulent opening phase marked by a safety car and a virtual safety car (VSC).

The initial safety car was deployed following a first-lap collision between Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll at Turn Nine.

The VSC was triggered by a multi-car incident on lap six involving Piastri, Antonelli, and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, which resulted in Leclerc’s retirement and a penalty for Piastri.

Lewis Hamilton also faced early setbacks after contact with Williams’ Carlos Sainz damaged his Ferrari, followed by a broken front wing from a failed overtaking attempt on Alpine’s Franco Colapinto. Hamilton eventually retired due to floor damage and lack of pace.

Norris dedicated his victory to the late Gil de Ferran, former McLaren advisor and instrumental figure in the team’s resurgence, who passed away in December 2023.

After a challenging qualifying session that saw Verstappen start 16th, Red Bull opted to begin his race from the pit lane to install a fresh engine and adjust the car’s setup for better performance.

By lap seven, Verstappen had climbed to 13th but was forced to pit again due to a puncture.

Benefiting from a VSC period, he minimized time loss but dropped to the back once more, embarking on a two-stop strategy that showcased his pace and determination.

Following Norris’ final pit stop on lap 51, Verstappen briefly led the race, prompting Red Bull to pit him for fresh soft tyres three laps later rather than attempting to defend on medium tyres.

Emerging in fourth, Verstappen quickly overtook George Russell with a skillful outside pass at Turn One on lap 63 to claim third place.

He then pursued Antonelli, closing the gap by lap 67, but the young Mercedes driver defended resolutely as Verstappen’s tyres began to degrade.

“Starting from the pit lane and finishing on the podium, especially with an early puncture, exceeded my expectations,” Verstappen said. “It was an incredible result, and I’m very pleased.”

Speculation remains whether a different tyre strategy-such as a medium-medium two-stop-could have enabled Verstappen to challenge Norris for the win.

Race stewards held Piastri responsible for a collision involving Antonelli and Leclerc on lap six.

The Australian driver attempted an ambitious inside pass, nearly alongside Antonelli, as the trio approached the first corner side-by-side.

However, Piastri locked his front wheel, causing contact that sent Antonelli into Leclerc, damaging the Ferrari’s front suspension and forcing his retirement.

Despite the move’s boldness, officials deemed Piastri fully at fault and imposed a 10-second penalty, a decision contested by Leclerc.

Since the Dutch Grand Prix in August, Piastri has failed to finish ahead of Norris, and with only three races left in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, his championship hopes are dwindling.

Behind Piastri, Haas’ Oliver Bearman delivered a strong performance, finishing sixth as the highest-placed driver outside the top five.

Following Bearman, Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson led a closely packed group including teammates Isack Hadjar, Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Williams’ Alex Albon, Haas’ Esteban Ocon, Carlos Sainz, and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.

The Formula 1 season’s climax unfolds under the dazzling neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip, hosting the first race of a thrilling triple-header from November 21-23, 2025.

This will be followed by back-to-back races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the championship battle.