Norris Dominates In Brazil As Verstappen Storms To Podium From Pit Lane

Norris Extends F1 Title Lead In Sao Paulo Thriller

Lando Norris is edging closer to his first Formula 1 world championship after delivering a flawless drive to win the 2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, extending his lead over McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. But while Norris left Brazil smiling, it was Max Verstappen who turned heads with a spectacular recovery from a pit-lane start to third.

The British driver crossed the finish line more than 10 seconds clear of Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, whose calm under pressure signalled the arrival of a new star. Verstappen, meanwhile, overcame a puncture and traffic chaos to secure third a performance that left fans and pundits in awe.

A Weekend Of Drama At Interlagos

Interlagos delivered its usual chaos. Norris got off cleanly from pole, but behind him, local hero Gabriel Bortoleto’s home race ended in heartbreak when his Sauber clipped Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin and smashed into the barriers. A safety car followed, and the crowd collectively held its breath before cheering as the young Brazilian emerged unharmed.

As the race unfolded, contact between Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc sent Ferrari’s hopes spiralling a sign of the Scuderia’s nightmare weekend to come. Piastri’s eventual 10-second penalty only added to the drama, leaving him fifth at the flag.

Further down the order, Verstappen was already on a mission. Starting from the pit lane after setup changes, he sliced through the field with relentless precision. By the halfway mark, the Red Bull driver had climbed into podium contention, showing flashes of his 2021 brilliance even as his car still lagged behind McLaren’s straight-line speed.

Norris Pays Tribute To His Late Mentor

“This one’s for Gil,” Norris said after the race, dedicating his win to the late Gil de Ferran, a Brazilian F1 veteran and former McLaren advisor who mentored him early in his career. “It’s so special to win here in front of these incredible fans, at one of the best tracks in the world.”

It was Norris’s seventh victory of the season and his eleventh overall, putting him on 390 points 24 ahead of Piastri and 49 ahead of Verstappen with three races to go. Despite his growing advantage, the McLaren driver insists he’s not getting carried away. “I’m not thinking about the title yet,” he said. “There’s still a long way to go.”

The Rise Of Kimi Antonelli

One of the most talked-about performances came from 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli, who coolly held off Verstappen’s late charge to secure his first podium for Mercedes. “It was very stressful in the last few laps,” the Italian admitted. “But I stayed calm. P2 in Brazil… that’s something I’ll never forget.”

Antonelli’s composure drew praise across social media, where fans hailed him as the future of Mercedes. “The kid’s ice-cold under pressure,” one fan posted on X. “Reminds me of a young Hamilton.”

Hamilton’s Nightmare Season With Ferrari

While the crowd celebrated Norris and Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton’s struggles at Ferrari continued. The seven-time champion described his race as a “nightmare,” retiring after 40 laps of frustration, penalties, and damage.

“I’m living a dream and a nightmare at the same time,” Hamilton said. “Driving for Ferrari is special, but this season has tested everything I have. Still, I’ll never give up.”

Hamilton, who hasn’t stood on a podium in 21 races his longest drought since debuting in 2007 told reporters he’s focusing on the long term. “There’s something waiting for me on the other side of this,” he said. “We’ll keep working, keep fighting.”

Ferrari’s double retirement, with Leclerc also taken out early in a collision, left fans disheartened. Italian media have since called the team’s performance “disastrous,” while supporters on social media urged Ferrari to “fix the fundamentals” before 2026.

What Comes Next

With just three races left, the title picture is becoming clearer but far from decided. Norris now controls his own destiny, yet Verstappen’s relentless pace and Antonelli’s emergence as a wildcard could still shape the final stretch.

As one Brazilian fan put it after the chequered flag: “It felt like old-school F1 chaos, emotion, and heroes everywhere. That’s why we love Interlagos.”

For McLaren, Brazil may have been a victory of skill and composure. For Verstappen and Hamilton, it was a reminder that even the legends sometimes have to fight their way back from the pit lane or from the bottom.

{Source:SuperSport}

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