Lando Norris Wins Sao Paulo Sprint Race

Lando Norris held off Kimi Antonelli to claim victory in a dramatic Sao Paulo Sprint at Interlagos on Saturday, extending his lead in the Drivers’ Championship over team mate Oscar Piastri.

The 24-lap dash began under cloudy skies on a damp track, with drivers splitting between soft and medium slick tyres. Norris, starting on medium tyres from pole, made a strong getaway, while Antonelli struggled slightly off the line but retained second ahead of Piastri and George Russell. Max Verstappen moved up to fifth after passing Fernando Alonso.

Red Flag

Lap two saw early chaos when Bearman was spun following a collision with Liam Lawson. Norris quickly pulled away at the front, with Antonelli, Piastri and Russell chasing. The situation escalated on lap six when Piastri, Nico Hulkenberg and Franco Colapinto all crashed at the same corner after running wide on wet kerbs, forcing a red flag. Piastri and Colapinto were eliminated, while Hulkenberg returned to the track after repairs.

Drama in #F1Sprint as Piastri crashes out! 😮#F1 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/rRbfLf6SLQ
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 8, 2025

The Sprint resumed behind a rolling start with Norris switching to soft tyres. He immediately built a gap, fending off Antonelli and Russell, while Verstappen overtook Alonso to move into fifth. Charles Leclerc eventually passed Alonso on lap 23, with Lewis Hamilton struggling to make a move in similar conditions. Pierre Gasly scored the final point of the Sprint, finishing eighth.

The Turn 3 kerbs 👀 Look at those puddles 🔎#F1Sprint #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/b2f6Mv59Zm
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 8, 2025

Bortoleto crash

The final lap saw Gabriel Bortoleto crash heavily, ending under double waved yellow flags. Despite the incident, Norris managed to keep Antonelli at bay, winning by just under a second. Russell secured third, Verstappen fourth and Leclerc fifth, while Alonso held sixth ahead of Hamilton.

That was a big crash 💥

Huge relief to know Gabi is all right 🙏#F1Sprint #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/NNxKKSopr4
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 8, 2025

Norris’ victory gives him a valuable cushion over Piastri in the Drivers’ Championship and marks a tense but successful day for McLaren. Antonelli’s performance confirmed his potential as a race winner, while multiple crashes highlighted the tricky Interlagos conditions and the risks of pushing the damp track limits.