SÃO PAULO — Lando Norris delivered another critic-quieting, championship-calibre performance at Interlagos, stretching his lead to 24 points over teammate Oscar Piastri with three race weekends — including a sprint — remaining. Two relatively small moments for Piastri, meanwhile, have pushed him toward what increasingly looks like a painful runner-up finish in the 2025 drivers’ championship.
Norris’ win in Brazil followed an up-and-down season and a late car failure at Zandvoort that once left him playing catch-up. That reversal of fortune, and the late-season momentum he’s found, have silenced much of the earlier doubt about his ability to perform under pressure. After the race he was blunt: “Just ignore everyone that talks crap about you. Just focus on yourself.”
Critics had long questioned whether Norris had the “right stuff” for a title, pointing to inconsistent form before the summer break. But his recent run has been near-perfect; even at his lowest, Norris hasn’t produced the kind of losing streak Piastri has suffered since mid-September. Had the roles been reversed months ago, the social-media noise would likely have been deafening.
Norris acknowledged the scrutiny has affected him but said he’s learned to manage it better. He referenced the booing after his Mexico win and the familiar Verstappen chants at Interlagos, and said he cares about how he’s portrayed but has tried not to let outside voices derail him. Still, nothing is decided — Norris knows the Zandvoort DNF is a reminder not to assume the title is secured until it’s mathematically wrapped up. With a healthy points buffer and more solid performances, he now looks the likeliest champion if he keeps avoiding trouble.
Piastri’s costly weekend
Piastri’s weekend in São Paulo was a stark contrast. It was his fifth consecutive F1 weekend without a podium — two of them sprint events — and included a dramatic Saturday crash where he rode a kerb with a small puddle and spun into the wall. The puddle had been left by Norris’ car moments earlier. Verstappen nearly aquaplaned at the same spot, highlighting how tricky the corner was at that time.
Piastri called it an “excuse” but stressed the fine margins in modern racing. On Sunday he briefly looked like he might contest Norris after a three-wide restart move that saw him surge to second, but stewards later gave him a 10-second penalty for contact with Kimi Antonelli. The incident also took Charles Leclerc out of the race when Antonelli’s car collided with his, ripping off a tyre. Leclerc, watching from the grass, called it “50-50” and suggested Antonelli shared blame.
Many in the paddock felt the stewards’ interpretation was harsh given the restart context, where racing is expected and officials often show leniency. Piastri, typically stoic, said he was at peace with the decision, but the penalty and subsequent strategy choices left him short-changed. After serving the penalty, Piastri’s pace suggested a better result was possible; McLaren later admitted they should have reacted earlier to Verstappen’s stop to give Piastri a stronger shot at the podium. Without the 10 seconds added, Piastri would have comfortably finished second.
The broader picture is stark: Piastri has not been a poor driver suddenly, but his form has noticeably dipped since September. Even if he wins the remaining three races and the Qatar sprint, Norris could still clinch the title by finishing second in each — a scenario that leaves the championship largely out of Piastri’s hands. A rapid turnaround would be required for the Australian to reclaim the momentum he showed earlier in the season.
Verstappen bows out in style
Max Verstappen provided one of the weekend’s standout performances. After his car dropped out of Q1 on Saturday — a rare misstep in an otherwise dominant season — Red Bull elected a wholesale change and a fresh engine, accepting a pit-lane start. What followed was classic Verstappen: despite an early puncture and four pit stops, he charged through the field to claim a podium, narrowly missing Antonelli at the line for second.
The team broke curfew to rework the car, reverting to a floor setup that previously worked in Austin. The effort paid off: Verstappen’s recovery drive underlined why many already regard him as one of the greats. “I didn’t expect that at all,” he said. “An incredible result for us. Very happy with that and just very proud of everyone within the team.”
His performance drew high praise, including from former world champion Damon Hill, who likened the drive to Ayrton Senna’s best work. While Verstappen’s 2025 campaign won’t be defined by a title, many argue it has burnished his legacy more than any championship year, showcasing extraordinary skill across a season.
Conclusion
Norris’ Brazilian win has reshaped the title fight: he looks nearer to the finish line, having answered many of his critics with consistent, composed performances. Piastri, who once appeared the more composed and metronomic driver, now finds himself needing to reverse a sudden slump if he’s to retain a genuine shot at the championship. Verstappen, meanwhile, reminded everyone of his racecraft with a near-mythic recovery that capped an eventful weekend at Interlagos.
