São Paulo Grand Prix 2025: Race Review

The São Paulo Grand Prix proved itself yet again as one of the most entertaining tracks on the Formula One calendar, with four-time world champion Max Verstappen converting a pit lane start to a podium position, while drivers’ championship leader Lando Norris solidified his position further, following a decisive weekend of racing.

Key Moments

Despite avoiding the wet race classic so often associated with the São Paulo Grand Prix, the weekend saw a dramatic fifth Sprint of the season, followed by a cinematic display during Sunday’s main race.

The tone was set during Lap 1, after a brush with Lance Stroll saw Gabriel Bortoleto conclude his debut home race before it had even begun, colliding into the barrier.

This marked the release of a full safety car, and second crash of the weekend for the young Brazilian rookie, who also propelled his Sauber into the air during a high-impact Sprint incident.

Upon restart, Oscar Piastri got a good surge of momentum, braving an inside overtaking move on both the Mercedes of Kimi Antontelli and Ferrari of newly-engaged Charles Leclerc.

This decisive move would have seen him claim P2 position behind his teammate and main championship rival, had it not have been for Antonelli leaving little space and forcing the Australian to lock-up.

Consequently, Charles Leclerc – an innocent bystander – was knocked by the Mercedes rookie, seeing his tyre roll away into the distance, and his Sunday race concluded.

A virtual safety car was released to compliment such a conclusion.

Upon review by the FIA, Piastri was deemed responsible for the collision, being gifted a controversial 10-second penalty as a result; the second of his 2025 season.

Despite a close initial battle taking place between the two McLaren drivers upon yet another racing restart during Lap 9, nothing further was able to come to fruition, largely due to the penalty notification handed to the Australian.

The more I watch back the footage from the attack launched by Oscar Piastri during Lap 5, the more I feel that what occurred was merely a racing incident.

While the Australian’s involvement should have been penalised to an extent, so too should have Kimi Antontellli, given his own contribution to Leclerc’s downfall.

A 5-second penalty given to both would have been appropriate, given the wider context.

Handing out a full 10-second penalty to one driver feels rather harsh, with this prospect made more perplexing given McLaren’s neutral stance and lack of intent to enquire with the stewards for more information or, indeed, appeal their drivers’ case.

For a team that pride themselves on the equilibrium of their drivers, they are certainly demonstrating anything but this season.

Entering into the many midfield battles taking place throughout the São Paulo Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was able to find himself in a tasty P5 position by Lap 21 of 71, despite starting his race from the pit lane.

While a contentious final pit stop ended his chances of securing pole position, the Dutchman converted an otherwise woeful weekend performance to P3 position.

It was Lando Norris that walked away victorious, after a dominant display of racing in both the Sprint and Sunday race secured himself 24-points ahead of Piastri in the drivers’ championship.

Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli – successfully fleeing the scene of the crime – achieved his best ever finish in Formula One, concluding the race in P2 position.

São Paulo Grand Prix 2025: Final Thoughts

Almost adding to his book of Formula One records – with what would have been a history-first win from the pit lane – Max Verstappen again proves that we are witnessing a generational talent; the Michael Schumacher of our time.

Even when the odds seem to be against him, with a career-worst Qualifying result in P16 position, and ultimately starting from the pit lane – for fitting elements beyond his allotted season allocation – you simply cannot rule him out.

That being said, despite his heroic performance, finishing in just P3 position has certainly slimmed-down his chances of a fifth consecutive drivers’ championship during the 2025 season.

Feeling disheartened by such an unprecedented podium result is only something that Max Verstappen can pull off well, providing yet more evidence in favor of his sheer brilliance.

Elsewhere, Oscar Piastri suffering a second controversial 10-second penalty of the season provides a new low for his own drivers’ championship hopes, further crashing out during the Sprint, with such circumstances leading Lando Norris to now 24-points ahead in the standings.

With just a mere three races to go until the season’s finale, will the Australian be able to pull it back? Will Verstappen be able to do what he does best? Or, will Lando Norris be able to make the impossible possible, and make his performances count when needed the most.

Strap yourselves in – the Formula One season continues at the glowing lights of Las Vegas on November 23rd.