Lando Norris wins Sao Paulo Grand Prix after Kimi Antonelli spins from lead

Lando Norris won the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after new world champion Kimi Antonelli spun out of the lead in slippery conditions at Interlagos.

Antonelli had jumped pole-sitter Norris during a damp start but fell apart after his stop for dry tyres and ended the race fifth.

Max Verstappen pulled off a typically-brilliant comeback drive from 21st on the grid to finish second, ahead of Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar.

George Russell’s podium hopes were undone by a staggering spin in the pit-lane exit, recovering well to fourth, while an extraordinary start from Lewis Hamilton from the back of the grid only earned him ninth.

Mercedes clinched the constructors’ title, a week on from Antonelli celebrating his drivers’ crown.

Norris masterfully claimed pole in soaking conditions on Saturday afternoon, pipping Russell to top spot – before his compatriot’s five-place grid drop for an engine penalty.

Russell was furious with Mercedes after believing their order for him to abort his final flying lap cost him pole.

Norris was joined on the front row by the man who deposed him as champion.

The Italian had a moment of fortune as he made his way to the grid, skidding across the grass and narrowly avoiding the barriers before hauling his Mercedes out the mud.

Behind them was a jumbled-up order – Liam Lawson third, Nico Hulkenberg fourth ahead of Hadjar and Ollie Bearman.

Antonelli jumped Norris on the short run down to turn one. The McLaren man was then undone by Lawson at turn two.

Hamilton began 20th after engine woe on Saturday, with Charles Leclerc 14th after his own penalty.

The seven-time world champion was in familiar company, joined by Verstappen in 21st – who won this race from 17th in the rain in 2024.

Hamilton soared up to ninth by the end of lap one, steaming down the outside off the line past a string of cars, including team-mate Leclerc.

Hamilton’s 400th Grand Prix start came at the end of a week where he launched a fierce criticism of Leclerc – questioning the Monegasque’s mentality after a first-lap overtake on him in Mexico.

The Ferrari pair say their issues are over after showdown talks with boss Fred Vasseur.

Verstappen started sedately but soon ignited with a string of sensational overtakes as he cruised up behind Hamilton.

The two great rivals, with 11 titles between them, duelled it out on the exit of Curva da Juncao but Hamilton had no answer for the Dutchman as he piled through.

Piastri fought gamely but Verstappen hung it out around turn three and passed Alex Albon at turn four.

The Ferrari war was back in the spotlight on lap 10 as Leclerc cruised up to Hamilton – who was complaining about his tyres.

Neither driver gave an inch as Leclerc made his move but Hamilton appeared to have taken life out of wheels as the Monegasque got the move done. To add insult for Hamilton, he was then breezed past by his old foe Fernando Alonso in the lowly Aston Martin.

Hamilton wanted dry tyres but Ferrari wanted to wait. Out front, Antonelli had stormed eight seconds clear with Norris now back in second and Russell up to third.

Hamilton pulled the trigger on the soft tyres on lap 15 and was motoring as the pack followed suit.

Norris and Russell went first of the leaders but Russell suffered an extraordinary spin on the narrow pit exit, just keeping it out of the barrier as he slipped to eighth.

Antonelli and Verstappen pitted the following lap but Norris was all over the leader having slashed the gap and the world champion told Mercedes “something weird” was wrong with his car.

The Italian spectacularly spun off at turn one, as the British driver seized the lead.

Hadjar also piled through amid Antonelli’s struggles as Verstappen emerged in his mirrors.

Antonelli was off again on lap 24, with the Dutchman marching past, but Mercedes told their complaining driver his issue was simply tyre temperature.

The leading pack all stopped again, Norris retaining his healthy lead.

But there was a twist in the tale as the heavens opened again. Russell pitted first and gained ground but Hamilton spun down the main straight, clipping the barrier, as he made his way in.

Russell was now on the back of Antonelli – who will be investigated for an unsafe pit release – and the world champion was told to let his team-mate through.

Norris held firm to claim back-to-back wins in Sao Paulo, crossing the line 14.6 seconds ahead of Verstappen.