Norris holds off Verstappen's Brazil comeback to seal McLaren's third win of 2026

Lando Norris won a rain-affected Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos to hand McLaren their third victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season, holding off a resurgent Max Verstappen while Mercedes clinched the world constructors’ championship in the same afternoon.

Norris started from pole but was immediately passed by Kimi Antonelli into Turn 1 as the race began in intermediate conditions, with Liam Lawson also slipping ahead. Antonelli, the reigning world champion, built a five-second lead over Lawson and Norris before the race’s complexion shifted. Lewis Hamilton, starting from the back of the grid alongside Verstappen due to engine penalties, was the first driver to call for slick tyres on lap 15 of 71. His immediate pace on the dry-weather rubber triggered a wave of pit stops across the field, with Antonelli and Verstappen staying out one lap longer than most frontrunners.

When the dust settled after the stops, Antonelli held the lead from Norris, Isack Hadjar and Verstappen — both Red Bull drivers having passed Lawson. George Russell lost ground by spinning at the pit exit, dropping behind Oscar Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg.

Antonelli’s race unravelled when he reported a suspension problem pulling the car to one side. The issue became critical as he spun off at Turn 1, handing Norris the lead. He rejoined but his handling woes persisted, allowing Hadjar and Verstappen to work past him into the podium positions. Hadjar then waved Verstappen through on lap 38, setting up a straight fight between the Dutchman and Norris at the front.

Norris, however, proved unassailable, converting his lead into a third win of the campaign. Verstappen crossed the line second to extend his record of strong Brazilian GP performances, while Hadjar completed the podium. Antonelli stabilised in fourth with a buffer over Piastri, Lawson, Russell and Hulkenberg.

Hamilton, who had gained 10 places at the start to sweep into 11th, could not sustain his momentum as his rear tyres wore. He was unable to follow Verstappen past Piastri and eventually lost further ground to Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin. Alonso himself had been the biggest loser at the start, dropping six places after going wide at Turn 3.

Mercedes’ constructors’ title adds a significant milestone to a season in which Antonelli has already secured the drivers’ championship, underlining the Silver Arrows’ return to dominance in 2026.