Cleeren: Norris and Verstappen shine as Mercedes seals F1 constructors’ title in Brazil

Mercedes clinched the constructors’ title at the Brazilian Grand Prix, but Filip Cleeren’s post-race verdict is split: he praises Lando Norris and Max Verstappen for their drives while pointing to Mercedes’ own mistakes.

Norris turned pole into a measured victory, his third of the campaign. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has praised Norris’s feel for available grip and his ability to find the limit when conditions change. Cleeren says the McLaren driver never looked in danger of losing the race.

Mercedes had looked like the team to beat in practice, with impressive long runs, but the race was a different story. Newly crowned world champion Kimi Antonelli spun out of the lead after handling issues, and George Russell had a mishap at pit exit. Mercedes nevertheless secured its ninth constructors’ crown, its first since 2021.

Verstappen gave Cleeren the other standout drive. Starting 21st, he came within nine seconds of Norris before his victory challenge faded. Cleeren notes that Verstappen has started from the rear and made the podium in three consecutive Brazilian Grands Prix, gaining 51 places in total. Verstappen said the move to slicks brought extreme oversteer in high-speed corners. Red Bull was still looking into the balance problem, and Verstappen said the team needed to determine whether something had broken or the car had suffered an aerodynamic loss.

Ferrari had a brief flash of recovery. Lewis Hamilton went from 20th to 11th in one lap, but he and Charles Leclerc were among the first cars to fade on intermediates as the track dried; Cleeren said their rear-tyre wear appeared excessive. Hamilton later spun as rain returned. Leclerc received a five-second penalty for a late touch with Liam Lawson, which Cleeren considered harsh.

Cleeren also put Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson among the winners. Hadjar held third after letting Verstappen through, while Lawson was promoted to seventh after Leclerc’s penalty. Valtteri Bottas did not start: a cross-threaded wheel nut on the grid left Cadillac unable to remove his right-rear wheel.