Norris wins gripping race after Antonelli and Russell errors

McLaren's Lando Norris beat Max Verstappen to win a gripping Sao Paulo Grand Prix in which new world champion Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes team-mate George Russell both made critical mistakes in difficult conditions. But an earlier pit stop for dry-weather tyres put Norris on Antonelli's tail and the Italian spun away the lead at the first corner.

After reclaiming first place, Norris dominated through a late shower of rain which required a switch back to wet-weather tyres to take his first win since the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August. A few laps before Antonelli lost the lead, Russell, who started seventh, spun exiting the pits and lost 15 to 20 seconds after working his way back into podium contention.

Despite their travails, Russell and Antonelli finished fourth and fifth to clinch the constructors' championship for Mercedes a week after the Italian had tied up the drivers' title. But the Dutchman put in another supreme drive in changeable conditions in Interlagos to take second after starting in 21st place.