Norris Dominates in São Paulo to Strengthen Title Bid
Lando Norris delivered a flawless performance at the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix, taking victory at Interlagos and extending his Formula 1 championship lead over teammate Oscar Piastri to 24 points. The British driver’s win capped off a perfect weekend in São Paulo, having also claimed victory in the Sprint Race on Saturday.
Norris, who started from pole position, maintained control throughout the 71-lap race, fending off rising star Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who impressed with a strong second-place finish. The 18-year-old Mercedes driver showcased maturity beyond his years, holding off Max Verstappen, who produced one of the standout drives of the season to claim third place after starting from the pit lane.
Despite Verstappen’s remarkable comeback, the reigning champion now trails Norris by 49 points heading into the Las Vegas Grand Prix, leaving his title hopes hanging by a thread.
A Perfect Weekend for Norris and McLaren
The race was another statement of intent from McLaren, who continue to dominate the late stages of the 2025 season. Norris’s control, pace, and consistency made the win appear effortless, as he crossed the finish line comfortably ahead of his rivals.
Speaking after the race, Norris said:
“It was a perfect weekend. We’ve just focused on ourselves and are pushing hard every weekend. It doesn’t come easy, but it’s so rewarding.”
Behind him, Antonelli briefly looked under pressure in the final laps as Verstappen closed in within DRS range. However, the Italian rookie held his nerve to secure a career-best finish, keeping one of the sport’s greats firmly behind him.
Verstappen was equally proud of his comeback, saying:
“The race was full-on with a lot of action. Our pace was strong, and to be on the podium—I did not expect that.”
Top Six Finishers – 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix
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Lando Norris (McLaren)
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
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Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
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George Russell (Mercedes)
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Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
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Ollie Bearman (Ferrari)
The victory strengthens Norris’s lead in the Drivers’ Championship, as he edges closer to what could be his first Formula 1 world title.
Drivers’ Championship Standings (After Brazilian GP)
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Lando Norris – 390 points
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Oscar Piastri – 366
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Max Verstappen – 341
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George Russell – 276
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Charles Leclerc – 214
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Lewis Hamilton – 148
With just a few races remaining, the championship battle now heads to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where Norris will look to extend his advantage and take another step toward championship glory.
