Brazilian Grand Prix: Norris dominates as Verstappen rises from pit lane

INTERLAGOS: Lando Norris delivered a flawless weekend at the Sao Paulo Brazilian Grand Prix, taking victory in both the Sprint and Sunday’s main race to extend his Formula 1 World Championship lead, while Max Verstappen produced a stunning recovery from a pit lane start to claim third.

The Autódromo José Carlos Pace once again lived up to its reputation for drama and unpredictability, with crashes, penalties, and comeback drives shaping a thrilling weekend of racing.

NORRIS’ “PERFECT WEEKEND” TIGHTENS HIS GRIP ON THE TITLE

Coming into Brazil with momentum after a dominant win in Mexico, Norris maintained his charge with what he described as a “near-perfect” weekend.

The McLaren driver topped practice, claimed pole positions for both the Sprint and the Grand Prix, and won both races to cap off his most complete showing of the season.

“It’s been an amazing weekend,” Norris said post-race. “We weren’t as quick as we wanted at times, especially against Max late on, but I can’t complain with two wins and a stronger lead in the championship.”

The result moves Norris to 390 points, 24 clear of team mate Oscar Piastri and 49 ahead of Verstappen with just three rounds remaining.

VERSTAPPEN’S ROLLERCOASTER ENDS IN A SURPRISE PODIUM

After a “terrible” feeling in Sprint Qualifying and a shock Q1 exit on Saturday, Verstappen’s prospects looked grim when he started Sunday’s race from the pit lane due to setup changes.

But in true champion fashion, the Dutchman charged through the field, even surviving an early puncture, to climb into podium contention.

A late push on soft tyres saw Verstappen close on Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, but he ultimately crossed the line third.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect this at all,” Verstappen admitted. “After Qualifying, I thought the weekend was over for us, so a podium feels incredible.”

PIASTRI’S PAIN AS TITLE GAP WIDENS

While his team mate celebrated, Oscar Piastri endured a weekend to forget.

After crashing out of Saturday’s Sprint, the Australian’s Sunday was compromised by a collision with Antonelli and Charles Leclerc during the Safety Car restart. He recovered to fifth but was hampered by a 10-second penalty for causing the contact.

Once just one point behind Norris, Piastri now finds himself 24 adrift, and under pressure from Verstappen, who trails him by only 25.

ANTONELLI SHINES FOR MERCEDES

If Norris was the weekend’s standout, Antonelli was its revelation. The Italian rookie pushed Norris hard throughout the Sprint and repeated the feat in Sunday’s race, defending brilliantly against Verstappen in the final laps to seal second – his best-ever Formula 1 finish.

“It was definitely my most complete weekend so far,” said the 18-year-old. “We maximised everything, and to hold off Max at the end felt great.”

FERRARI’S NIGHTMARE CONTINUES

Ferrari’s weekend unravelled almost as soon as it began.

Leclerc’s strong P3 starting position turned to heartbreak when he was caught in the chain reaction of Piastri’s clash with Antonelli. Hamilton later retired with heavy damage from contact with Franco Colapinto’s Alpine, leaving Ferrari with their second double DNF of the season.

The result dents Ferrari’s bid for second in the Constructors’ Championship, as Mercedes pulled further ahead.

DRAMA FROM START TO FINISH AT INTERLAGOS

Interlagos once again delivered a Grand Prix full of storylines; from home favourite Gabriel Bortoleto’s high-speed Sprint crash (thankfully escaping unhurt) to Verstappen’s remarkable recovery and Norris’ clinical dominance.

With just three rounds to go, Norris now holds the advantage, but with Verstappen resurgent and Piastri desperate to respond, the 2025 title fight looks set to go down to the wire.