International Media Reacts to Chaotic São Paulo Grand Prix

Lando Norris delivered a dominant performance at the São Paulo Grand Prix, extending his lead in the F1 drivers' title to 24 points after a chaotic weekend in Interlagos. While Norris topped nearly every session, his title rivals, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen, faced significant challenges, including crashes, penalties, and shocking eliminations.

Why it matters:

This turbulent Brazilian GP could prove to be a pivotal moment in the F1 title fight, with just one month remaining in the season. Norris's extended lead puts him in a strong position, while Piastri faces increasing pressure to overcome setbacks and Verstappen showcases remarkable recovery capabilities, all of which will define the championship's final stretch.

The Details:

• Norris's Dominance (UK - The Times): Lando Norris was "untouchable" throughout the weekend, topping every session except SQ2 and keeping out of trouble while his rivals struggled. His performance has positioned him closer to a maiden F1 title, now 49 points ahead of Verstappen.
• Verstappen's Recovery (Netherlands - De Telegraaf): Max Verstappen, starting from the pit lane due to extensive car changes after a shock Q1 elimination, stormed through the field to finish third. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies praised this as an "incredible performance," likening it to his win from 17th on the grid last year.
• Alpine's Driver Decision (Spain - El País): Franco Colapinto will remain with Alpine next season, having been given a new contract for the 2026 season. Alpine believes Colapinto has improved sufficiently to partner Pierre Gasly when the new power unit regulations take effect.
• Leclerc's Frustration & Collision (Italy - La Gazzetta dello Sport): Charles Leclerc was left "pissed off" after a Lap 6 collision involving Piastri and Kimi Antonelli. Piastri received a 10-second penalty for squeezing Antonelli, who then made contact with Leclerc, ending Leclerc's race. Leclerc, however, defended Piastri, suggesting Antonelli "could have avoided the collision." Antonelli recovered to a career-best second place.
• Piastri's Title Nightmare (Australia - Herald Sun): Oscar Piastri's title hopes suffered a major blow in Brazil. He crashed in the Sprint and received a 10-second penalty in the Grand Prix for the collision with Antonelli and Leclerc, dropping him from second to fifth. He now trails Norris by 24 points, with time running out to mount a comeback.
• Bortoleto's Home Disappointment (USA - The Washington Post): Gabriel Bortoleto endured a disastrous home Grand Prix, suffering a 57G accident in the Sprint and crashing out on the opening lap of the main race, watched by his family and local fans.

The Big Picture:

The São Paulo Grand Prix highlighted the intense pressure and high stakes of the F1 title fight. While Norris demonstrated championship-contending consistency, the setbacks for Piastri and the resilient recovery from Verstappen underscore the unpredictable nature of the sport. The various reactions from international media reflect the diverse narratives emerging from a weekend full of drama and pivotal moments.

What's next:

With just a month left in the season, the focus shifts to how Piastri will respond to his latest struggles and if Norris can maintain his momentum. The championship could potentially be decided as early as the next race in Qatar, making every session critical for the title contenders. The ongoing developments and team strategies will be key in the final push for the F1 crown.