Lando Norris claimed victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday, November 8, as Mercedes secured the 2026 Formula 1 Constructors' Championship after George Russell and Kimi Antonelli finished fourth and fifth respectively.
The McLaren driver completed the 71-lap race at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Sao Paulo in 1:35:23.504, finishing 14.602 seconds ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Verstappen's teammate Isack Hadjar completed the podium in third, 24.485 seconds behind the winner.
The victory marked Norris's third win of the season and his second consecutive Brazilian Grand Prix triumph after also winning at Interlagos in 2025.
Verstappen produced one of the day's standout performances, recovering from 21st on the starting grid to finish second, while Hadjar secured his second podium of the season.
The race featured changing weather conditions, with drivers navigating a wet track before switching to slick tyres as the circuit dried. Rain returned during the closing stages, forcing teams to make another switch to intermediate tyres.
Norris initially lost the lead to Antonelli and also dropped behind Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson at the start. However, he recovered as the race progressed, with Antonelli's spin at Turn 1 on Lap 20 allowing the McLaren driver to take control.
Despite the changing conditions and pressure from the chasing drivers, Norris maintained his advantage to secure the victory.
Speaking after the race, Norris acknowledged the challenges presented by the changing track conditions.
"It was a very tough race – very, very tough. The main thing today was I just kept it cool, I didn't make any mistakes, and I had the pace when I needed to," Norris said.
Away from the race victory, Mercedes celebrated securing its ninth Constructors' Championship, confirming an unassailable lead in the standings with three races remaining.
The result ended the team's five-year wait for another constructors' crown, having last won the championship in 2021. Mercedes also moved level with Williams on nine titles, placing third on the all-time list behind Ferrari and McLaren.
Team principal Toto Wolff described the achievement as a proud moment for the organisation, highlighting the work behind the team's return to the top of Formula 1.
"What makes me happiest today is seeing the reward for that effort. Not many teams have been able to come back from a period like that and win again. This championship belongs to every single person in this team."
Russell also reflected on the team's journey back to championship-winning form after finishing fourth in Brazil.
"We achieved what we came here to do and won the Constructors' Championship. We would have liked to have done it in a bit more style, but it's an incredible achievement for everyone in the team," Russell said.
Antonelli, who had already secured the Drivers' Championship at the Mexican Grand Prix, also praised the collective effort behind Mercedes' success.
"They have done an incredible year and it's an amazing group of people, who push every day to do their best and give us the best opportunity to fight for wins and championships," Antonelli said.
McLaren's Oscar Piastri finished sixth, followed by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in seventh and Lawson in eighth. Lewis Hamilton finished ninth for Ferrari, while Audi's Nico Hulkenberg completed the top ten.
Mercedes' championship triumph adds to an impressive campaign in which the team has won 12 races, completing a return to the top of the constructors' standings after four difficult seasons.
