Lando Norris secured his third victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos. The McLaren driver converted pole position into a win in a rain-affected race. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finished second, with Isack Hadjar taking third place.
Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team clinched the 2026 Constructors’ Championship at the São Paulo Grand Prix, marking their first team title since 2021. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli finished fourth and fifth respectively, securing the championship for Mercedes.
Norris’s victory in Brazil followed earlier wins in Hungary and Spain during the 2026 season. Despite a challenging first half of the season for McLaren, Norris has demonstrated improved confidence and consistency.
He admitted that the McLaren car lacked the raw pace of the Mercedes in dry conditions at Interlagos. The team had brought upgrades to Brazil to improve performance and drivability.
At Ferrari, tensions between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have been evident throughout the 2026 season. Hamilton, who will turn 42 in January 2027, joined Ferrari for this season.
Leclerc’s contract with Ferrari extends until at least 2030, positioning him as the team’s long-term priority. Hamilton publicly questioned Ferrari’s strategy and Leclerc’s racing style following incidents in Mexico and Monza.
Team Principal Fred Vasseur has faced scrutiny over his management of the driver pairing. Vasseur confirmed holding talks with Hamilton and Leclerc after their Mexico City Grand Prix battle.
He stated that the team’s interests must remain the priority. Speculation suggests Vasseur’s role as team principal could be reviewed at the end of the 2026 season.
George Russell experienced a challenging 2026 season, marked by several incidents. At the Brazilian Grand Prix, Russell spun in the pit lane while on slick tyres during drying conditions.
Mercedes received a €5,000 fine in Mexico after Russell failed to fulfill mandatory media commitments. His frustration was evident during qualifying in Brazil, with an expletive-laden radio message after an aborted lap.
Russell’s season has been described as his most difficult, raising questions about his technique and consistency. He finished fourth in Brazil, contributing to Mercedes’ constructors’ title.
Liam Lawson, driving for Racing Bulls, secured his seventh-place finish in Brazil after Charles Leclerc received a post-race penalty. This marked his 15th points finish of the 2026 season.
Racing Bulls is on track to achieve its best-ever result of fifth in the Constructors’ Championship for 2026. Lawson replaced Daniel Ricciardo full-time in 2024, aligning with Racing Bulls’ philosophy of developing young drivers.
The team faces a decision regarding Lawson’s 2027 contract. Nikola Tsolov, a younger driver, is considered a strong alternative for a future F1 seat.
Formula 2 CEO Bruno Michel believes Tsolov is ready for Formula 1. Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane stated that a decision on the 2027 line-up is close.
