F1 Full Results | Lando Norris wins the 2026 Sao Paulo Grand Prix

After Kimi Antonelli’s historic Drivers’ title victory at the Mexico City GP last weekend - with the Italian becoming the youngest F1 champion ever at just 20 years old - Mercedes entered Round 20 knowing they just had to score three more points than Ferrari to secure the double championship win at Interlagos.

With something of an upside down starting grid after engine penalties, and mixed conditions at the iconic circuit, Ferrari had it all to do to keep any hopes alive. After a 10-place penalty, Charles Leclerc started P14, while teammate Lewis Hamilton started just ahead of Verstappen at the back of the grid.

With George Russell finishing P4 and his teammate Antonelli in fifth in Sao Paulo, Ferrari's final result - P8 for Charles Leclerc and ninth for Lewis Hamilton - has handed the double championship to the Silver Arrows. Antonelli, however, could face a penalty for an unsafe release at Interlagos, but finished 20 seconds ahead of Oscar Piastri.

Unsurprisingly, the race got off to a frantic start, with Antonelli immediately getting ahead of pole-sitter Lando Norris while Hamilton pulled off a mightily impressive start to reach P11 in the first lap.

Wet weather specialist Verstappen was also in great form. Making multiple places on the opening laps, the Dutchman made an incredible move on both Alex Albon and Oscar Piastri at Turn 4 to take seventh, from where the charge only continued.

As Hamilton struggled on his intermediate tyres, he was the first to pit for slicks on Lap 15, with the rest of the grid coming in during the following couple of laps. It was a nightmare pit stop for Russell, who spun on pit exit and reemerged in P10.

On the slicks, Antonelli - who pitted a lap later than most - reported suspected suspension issues before spinning at Turn 1 on Lap 20, allowing Norris into the lead. Three laps later, the world champion had lost P2 to Isack Hadjar, and then went wide again at Turn 1 and lost the final podium spot Verstappen.

On Lap 39, Verstappen's remarkable pace continued, with Hadjar letting his teammate through to have a run at leader Norris, who had a comfortable ten-second advantage. However, the Dutchman struggled to get away with his teammate, prompting a questioning of Red Bull's strategy from Hadjar.

After a second round of pit stops, though, Verstappen was eight seconds up on his teammate, but despite late rain that saw a swap onto inters, the Dutchman did not have enough to catch McLaren's Norris, who took his third race win of the season, and 14th of his F1 career.