Lando Norris loses two places at the start, then wins in Brazil for the second year running
Lando Norris #1 – McLaren – United Kingdom Free practice sessions at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, USA, on October 23, 2026. © 2026 Lubomir Asenov / LAP.bg. All rights reserved.Lando Norris #1 – McLaren – United Kingdom Free practice sessions at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, USA, on October 23, 2026. © 2026 Lubomir Asenov / LAP.bg. All rights reserved.
Lando Norris came out of the first two corners at Interlagos looking at the rear wings of Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson. At the end of 71 laps, he had the finish line to himself, 14.602 seconds clear of Max Verstappen. For the second year running, Norris had turned pole in Brazil into victory. His 14th career win was McLaren’s third of the season, after his victories in Hungary and the Netherlands.
One lap earlier for slicks
First he had to find a way past Lawson. The New Zealander had gone around the outside at Turn 1 and held second for five laps. By the time Norris took the place back on lap six, Antonelli was about five seconds clear. The gap had grown to seven when McLaren called Norris in for soft slicks at the end of lap 16.
Antonelli stayed on intermediates for one more lap and emerged from the pits just two seconds ahead. As he worked to bring his soft tyres up to temperature, Norris already had grip. At the end of lap 18 the gap was six tenths. At the start of lap 20 Antonelli spun at Turn 1 and Norris reclaimed the lead.
The rain returns
The next call was how long to stay out while Verstappen attacked on fresh softs. Norris stopped at the end of lap 49, rejoined fourth and immediately passed team-mate Oscar Piastri. When Antonelli eventually pitted, the McLaren was back in front. By the time the rain returned, Norris had built enough of a cushion to switch to intermediates comfortably.
Afterwards, Norris singled out pushing on slicks on a still-damp track as the toughest part of the afternoon. McLaren had brought upgrades to Brazil, more than two months after its previous win at Zandvoort in August. In recent races, he said, it had been frustrating to see how hard the team was working without being able to give them a result in return.
It was his 50th Formula 1 podium, although he had little chance to enjoy the champagne in his own bottle. Norris tried his customary celebration of striking the base against the podium and smashed the glass. Verstappen and Hadjar sprayed him with theirs, leaving the winner to walk away with the neck of the bottle in his hand.
Sources · Formula 1 · FIA · Reuters · ge
Archive photograph from Austin: Lubomir Asenov / LAP.bg.
