São Paulo Grand Prix: Norris Wins as Bortoleto Abandons at Home

Gabriel Bortoleto’s dream debut at the São Paulo Grand Prix took a dramatic turn after a collision in Saturday’s sprint race, lasting only one lap as he abandoned on Sunday following another incident. Lando Norris secured the victory to extend his lead in the Championship. Andrea Kimi Antonelli finished second, while Max Verstappen shone, racing from the pit lane to third place.
The collision involving Bortoleto occurred right after the start, as Lance Stroll, ahead of the Brazilian at the back of the grid, bumped into the rear of his Aston Martin, hitting the front of Bortoleto’s Sauber. As a result, Bortoleto spun and crashed at the Laranjinha curve. Gabriel had started in 18th place after also colliding in Saturday’s sprint race and losing his qualifying position.
Another driver failing to complete the São Paulo Grand Prix was ‘Brazilian’ Lewis Hamilton. An honorary citizen of Brazil, the Englishman was involved in another contact – this time with Franco Colapinto at the start. He received a 5-second penalty for the incident but retired with significant damage, affecting downforce and causing an unstable rear.
In a storyline reminiscent of 2024, all eyes were on Max Verstappen’s recovery. Starting from the pit lane, he made his first pit stop on lap nine due to a puncture but then managed to climb with four overtakes. By lap 18, he was in the top 10, advancing to the top 5 just two laps later. Despite making another stop on lap 35, Norris, Piastri, and Antonelli’s pit stops briefly lifted him to a provisional lead. However, a third pit stop on lap 55 pushed the Dutchman back to fourth place.
The race start saw Norris maintain the lead, with Antonelli close behind. Leclerc attempted to challenge the Italian at the first corner, but the Mercedes rookie held his position. Stroll, ahead of Bortoleto at the rear of the grid, collided with the Brazilian’s Sauber, causing Gabriel to spin and crash at the Laranjinha curve.
Hamilton’s contact with Franco Colapinto forced him back to the pits to replace his Ferrari’s nose, dropping him to last place. Verstappen capitalized on the incidents, starting from the pit lane and moving up to 16th. The race resumed but was quickly interrupted by another incident involving Antonelli and Piastri, halting the race until lap 8.
Verstappen, running 16th after his first stop, entered the pits to change tires following a puncture. Hamilton also pitted on lap 15 due to car issues. Verstappen’s charge through the field saw him overtaking Hamilton, Colapinto, Tsunoda, and Hulkenberg, climbing to 12th by lap 17.
By lap 20, he was pressuring Alexander Albon for fifth place, eventually moving up to fourth after Bearman and Sainz’s pit stops. Making a third stop on lap 55, Verstappen fell from the lead to fourth, but with softer tires, he managed to pass Russell at the Chico Landi corner with seven laps to go, securing third place.