Winners and Losers from the Chaotic 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix
During a rain-soaked weekend at Interlagos, Lando Norris secured his third win of the season. McLaren's boss Andrea Stella calls Norris the master of low-grip conditions. When the track gets tricky, Norris adapts quickly and extracts maximum performance from his car.
Stella commented, "He's very sensitive to how much grip is available and extremely complete as a driver." Norris clinched pole position in a thrilling qualifying round, which some attribute to Mercedes' miscommunication, then controlled the race to claim victory.
Max Verstappen’s pursuit slowed down after switching to slick tires affected his car’s balance, an issue Red Bull is still investigating. Yet Norris maintained his lead throughout, demonstrating why he has won three out of four races when given a winning car, with only bad luck at Madrid denying him a fourth.
Almost everything went smoothly until the podium celebration, where Norris accidentally smashed a champagne bottle and got caught in pyrotechnics, fortunately without injury.
Mixed Fortunes for Mercedes
The Brazilian Grand Prix was a reminder that even dominant teams have off days. Although Mercedes celebrated their double championship here, the race itself was forgettable for them. New world champion Kimi Antonelli showed promise during practice, leading long runs impressively. Yet, both Antonelli and George Russell faltered during the race—Antonelli spun out while leading due to handling problems, and Russell spun exiting the pits.
Despite these mishaps, Mercedes secured their ninth constructors title and first since 2021. Team principal Toto Wolff can overlook Brazil’s result given the team’s consistent excellence this season.
Max Verstappen’s Remarkable Comeback
Max Verstappen continued his tradition of astonishing recoveries in São Paulo. Starting from the back for the third year running, he climbed through the field, gaining 51 places over the event.
A local journalist joked about the magic waters of the lake giving Verstappen an edge. It might not be the water itself but the frequent rain that unsettles others and highlights Verstappen’s skill.
He closed to within nine seconds of Norris, hinting at a possible win despite starting 21st. However, his charge faded after switching to slick tires, which caused severe oversteer in high-speed corners. Verstappen mentioned, "We need to find out if something broke or if there was an aero failure, because this wasn’t normal." Red Bull is still analyzing the issue.
Challenges for Ferrari
Ferrari struggled, with both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton starting far back due to grid penalties. Hamilton had a strong opening lap, moving from 20th to 11th by aggressively passing several cars.
But as the track dried, both drivers suffered excessive rear tire wear on intermediates, causing their performance to drop. Hamilton spun later in wet conditions, while Leclerc received a five-second penalty for minor contact with Liam Lawson.
The two Ferrari drivers briefly battled on track, stirring memories of last week’s Mexico GP drama. Though all parties claim the issue has been resolved, it remains to be seen whether tensions will truly settle.
Isack Hadjar’s Impressive Drive
In difficult weather, Isack Hadjar delivered arguably his best race yet. His willingness to experiment with strategies could have supported Verstappen’s charge if needed. Hadjar finished third and even suggested to Red Bull that they might swap positions again if Verstappen couldn’t overtake Norris.
Alpine’s Difficult Weekend
Alpine, once a contender for fifth in the standings, has seen a decline in form recently. Their struggles continued in Brazil, where they were notably off pace in wet conditions, likely due to aerodynamic issues.
Pierre Gasly finished just behind teammate Franco Colapinto in 14th and remarked, "We have a lot to review, especially regarding our wet performance. Grip was poor on both intermediate and extreme wet tires, and we noticed strange aerodynamic data that needs investigation." The team’s inability to score consistent points has hurt their campaign.
Liam Lawson’s Strong Showing
Liam Lawson benefited from Leclerc’s penalty to finish seventh, adding pressure to keep his place on the grid next season. After a strong qualifying, Lawson started well, holding second early on by overtaking Antonelli.
As conditions changed, Lawson’s pace declined due to rear tire overheating, but he continued to fight hard. Lawson stated, "Right now, I’m just trying to enjoy driving the car amid all the other uncertainties." His spirited drive offers hope for his future.
Fernando Alonso Shines in Rain
Fernando Alonso thrived in wet conditions, making it into Q3 and starting eighth after penalties shuffled the grid. Although he lost six places at the start following contact, Alonso impressed with strong midfield battles, including a notable pass around Hamilton.
Finishing 12th without points, Alonso still showed his competitive spirit. He said, "The car was phenomenal today. We ran alongside Ferraris and, near the end, Mercedes too. Despite losing time on straights, we were nearly a second faster in other areas." Fans saw that Alonso is far from ready to fade away.
Setback for Cadillac
Fresh off a suspension failure crash in Mexico, Valtteri Bottas did not even start the race in Brazil due to a cross-threaded wheel nut that prevented the right-rear wheel’s removal on the grid. A frustrating technical issue added to the team’s woes.
Race Highlights - Key Photos
- Lando Norris, McLaren
- Rubens Barrichello, Williams FW33
- Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
- Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari and Pierre Gasly, Alpine
- George Russell, Mercedes
- Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing and Franco Colapinto, Alpine
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
- Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
- Oscar Piastri, McLaren
- Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
