Lando Norris secured victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix, navigating a wet-dry-wet race at Interlagos. This result also confirmed the Constructors’ Championship for Mercedes, despite incidents involving both Kimi Antonelli and George Russell during the event. Red Bull Racing completed the podium in São Paulo.
The race commenced with damp and greasy conditions following pre-race rain. Kimi Antonelli, the reigning 2026 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champion, demonstrated the treacherous nature of the circuit by locking up his Mercedes at Junção on his lap to the grid.
Antonelli described the conditions as “undriveable.” Intermediate tyres were the preferred starting compound across the grid. Lewis Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, marked his 400th Grand Prix start at Interlagos, becoming only the second driver to reach this milestone after Fernando Alonso.
Hamilton, who secured his first world championship at Interlagos in 2008, started from the back of the grid due to engine penalties. Max Verstappen also started from the rear for similar reasons.
Valtteri Bottas’s Cadillac was withdrawn from the grid before the race due to a stuck wheel nut. Bottas, who competes for Cadillac in 2026, has faced reliability issues this season, retiring from nine Grands Prix.
Antonelli initially took the lead from pole-sitter Norris into Turn 1. Hamilton made rapid progress, entering the top 10 by the second lap. Verstappen also advanced into the top 10, with both drivers cleared by stewards after a potential false start investigation.
Norris eventually overtook Liam Lawson on lap six, but Antonelli had established a five-second lead. Hamilton, however, dropped out of the top 10 after conceding a position due to an earlier pass on Oliver Bearman deemed illegal by stewards.
Antonelli extended his lead to eight seconds by lap 14. Hamilton pitted on lap 15 for new soft tyres, a decision not initially supported by Ferrari. Norris and Russell pitted on lap 16, with Russell spinning at the pit exit but recovering.
Antonelli pitted on the next lap, retaining the lead over Norris. All drivers were now on soft tyres. Antonelli then reported an issue: “Something is weird with the car.” He subsequently spun into Turn 1, handing the lead to Norris.
Isack Hadjar briefly passed Antonelli for second before Antonelli spun again at Turn 1, allowing Verstappen into a podium position. Antonelli stated, “The car is pulling on one side when accelerating.”
Lance Stroll retired his Aston Martin on lap 32 due to a mechanical issue. Aston Martin has experienced a challenging 2026 season, with Stroll unclassified in 13 of 19 Grands Prix.
Both Aston Martins retired early in the recent Mexico City Grand Prix due to technical problems, including an MGU-K cooling issue for Fernando Alonso.
Norris maintained a significant lead over Hadjar, who was then caught by Verstappen. Red Bull executed a driver swap. Rain returned to the track, intensifying towards the end of the race.
Leaders pitted for intermediate tyres on lap 63. Hamilton spun on slicks before pitting for intermediates. Antonelli struggled, and Russell was allowed through by team order. Antonelli is under post-race investigation for an unsafe release involving Franco Colapinto’s Alpine.
Colapinto was confirmed as a full-time Alpine driver for the 2026 season on November 7, 2025, alongside Pierre Gasly.
Norris secured the victory, with Verstappen and Hadjar completing a double podium for Red Bull. Mercedes, despite the spins from Antonelli and Russell, clinched the 2026 Constructors’ Championship.
Mercedes had led the Constructors’ Championship with 630 points, 126 clear of Ferrari, prior to this event. Kimi Antonelli had already secured the 2026 Drivers’ Championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Antonelli became the youngest World Champion in F1 history at 20 years and 68 days. He has nine wins this season, including his maiden victory at the Chinese Grand Prix.
George Russell, who won the Australian and Austrian Grands Prix this season, has reflected on a challenging 2026 campaign, stating it was “not meant to be my year.”
McLaren introduced a four-part aerodynamic upgrade package for the Brazilian Grand Prix, including a new front wing concept for 2027. Norris reported positive initial feedback from these upgrades during practice sessions.
Red Bull has experienced a difficult 2026 season, with their RB22 lacking aerodynamic downforce and race pace in many events, despite a strong Red Bull-Ford power unit.
The final classification for the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix is as follows:
1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
3. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull Racing)
4. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
5. George Russell (Mercedes)
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
7. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
8. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
9. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
10. Alexander Albon (Williams)
