2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix Recap

By Ryan Wu

Norris Inches Closer to Claiming Maiden Title, Verstappen Makes Charge

Lando Norris extended his championship lead after winning the São Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil. He now holds a 24-point advantage over Oscar Piastri with three races remaining in what has been an incredible battle for the World Championship. Piastri is also under pressure from Max Verstappen, who finished third in Brazil after starting from the pit lane due to a power unit change. Verstappen had failed to advance from Q1 for the first time in his career and now sits 25 points behind Piastri and 49 points off the overall lead. Piastri could only manage a fifth-place finish after crashing out of the sprint race, losing valuable points to his two title rivals.

Race Recap

A safety car following a restart led by Gabriel Bortoleto and a subsequent 10-second penalty for Oscar Piastri proved to be the defining moment of the race early on lap 2. Bortoleto made contact with Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin and crashed into the barrier. Shortly after, Piastri locked up on the main straight and collided with Kimi Antonelli, whose Mercedes was then pushed into Charles Leclerc, forcing Leclerc out of the race. Piastri served his penalty on lap 38, which required an additional pit stop later on and effectively ended his chances of winning.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen charged through the field, easily dispatching any driver who tried to hold him back. He pushed hard until the end, overtaking George Russell with nine laps to go but was unable to get past Kimi Antonelli, ultimately finishing within a second of the young driver, who celebrated the second podium of his career.

Norris was able to drive for the rest of the race somewhat unchallenged as he claimed his seventh win of the season.

Awful Weekend for Ferrari

Put simply, it was a weekend to forget for Ferrari. Charles Leclerc’s strong start, with a fifth-place finish in the sprint and a third-place qualification for the main race, ended abruptly when Kimi Antonelli collided with him after the safety car restart on lap 6, knocking off his front left tire.

Lewis Hamilton’s race also unraveled early after contact with Franco Colapinto’s Alpine on lap 1 damaged his front wing, forcing an early pit stop that left him at the back of the field. His situation worsened when he received a five-second penalty for causing the collision, and he eventually retired on lap 37, sealing a double DNF for Ferrari. To make matters worse, the team has now fallen 36 points behind second place in the Constructors Championship, losing significant ground to Mercedes after their drivers finished second and fourth. Red Bull also pulled ahead, now sitting four points clear of the Prancing Horse.

Rookie Report

It was a strong weekend for the young drivers in Brazil. Kimi Antonelli held off the four-time defending World Champion to secure his second podium of the season and valuable points for Mercedes in their fight for second in the Constructors Championship. A bit further back, Oliver Bearman, Isack Hadjar, and Liam Lawson all scored points, finishing fifth, sixth, and seventh respectively.

Racing Refresh Driver of the Day

Max Verstappen,  Red Bull

Final Points Finishing Positions

1st: Lando Norris

2nd: Kimi Antonelli

3rd: Max Verstappen

4th: George Russell

5th: Oscar Piastri

6th: Oliver Bearman

7th: Isack Hadjar

8th: Liam Lawson

9th: Nico Hulkenberg

10th: Pierre Gasly

Next on the F1 Schedule:

Las Vegas Grand Prix: November 20th-22nd