Verstappen surges from 21st to second as Norris wins, Mercedes seals title

Max Verstappen surged from 21st on the grid to second at the rain-affected São Paulo Grand Prix. Lando Norris won, 14.602 seconds ahead.

A grid penalty after a Red Bull engine change left Verstappen starting 21st. He began his recovery immediately, passing Oscar Piastri at Turn 3 and Alex Albon at Turn 4.

The charge was not trouble-free. After a pit stop, Verstappen told his engineer he could barely steer through the fast corners; the engineer said the car’s balance had shifted more than intended.

Isack Hadjar finished third, 24.485 seconds behind Norris, putting both Red Bulls on the podium. Mercedes clinched the constructors’ championship, its first since 2021.