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Norris seals Brazil F1 win as Mercedes claim team title

Lando Norris, the 2025 world champion, has won the Brazilian F1 Grand Prix in Sao Paulo. (AP PHOTO)

Mercedes have secured their ninth Formula One ‌constructors' world championship and completed a title double ‌in a Sao Paulo ‌Grand Prix won by McLaren's Lando Norris from pole position for the second year in a row.

The title was ‌Mercedes' first ‌constructors' ⁠crown since 2021 and came ​a week after 20-year-old Italian Kimi Antonelli became the youngest drivers' champion with four races to spare in Mexico City.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished second, racing from 21st on the grid due to engine penalties, in a race that started and ended in the rain, and teammate Isack Hadjar was third. 

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia
Australia's Oscar Piastri steered his car to sixth place ahead of the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc. (AP PHOTO)

George Russell was fourth for Mercedes ‌and Antonelli fifth ‌with the fastest ⁠lap.

Australia's Oscar Piastri, Norris' McLaren teammate, finished sixth behind Antonelli, who spun out of the lead in the slippery conditions at Interlagos.

Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson was sandwiched between the Ferrari drivers in eighth after a fine ​race that saw the New Zealander start third and run in second place for the first five laps.

Nico ​Hulkenberg took the final point ⁠for Audi in a race of spins, slippery moments and changeable conditions.

Mercedes ​had ​needed to ​score only three points ‌more than Ferrari to clinch the title and the Italian team never threatened to prolong the fight with Charles ​Leclerc seventh and Lewis Hamilton ​ninth.

"It was a very tough race, very, very tough," said Norris, the 2025 world champion, of his 14th career win and 50th podium as well as his team's first victory since August.

"A lot ⁠of challenges today with the conditions and going onto slicks ‌in the ​wet is always tough, especially when you are pushing for the lead and trying to catch up a little ​bit," added the ‌Briton, who lost out to Antonelli at the start.

"The main thing today was I kept it cool and ​didn't make any mistakes and had the pace when I needed to. Nice to be back on the top step and what a place to do it as well."

Mercedes principal Toto Wolff hail his team's team title triumph as they equalled Williams' nine constructors' championships.

"It is amazing, it was a very strong beginning of the season and that got us across the line," he said.

"Overall I'm so proud of the organisation, we have taken a few years to get back to the top spot. Not many teams can come back."

Mercedes' new world champion Antonelli was also quick to praise his team, telling Sky Sports: "They all deserve it. 

"Incredible year by everyone. Not only all the people here at the track, but all the people back at the factory."

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