That Sao Paulo Grand Prix was an absolute puzzle of tyres, and McLaren solved it better than anyone else. Lando Norris took a superb victory at Interlagos through a chaotic afternoon of changing conditions, mastering both the intermediate tyres used at the start and finish and the soft slicks deployed in the middle stint.
Team Principal Andrea Stella pointed straight to the thermometer as the key to their dry-weather pace. Sunday brought much colder track and ambient temperatures than practice sessions, saving their machine from its usual habit of overheating the tyres. "Today, somehow the conditions came our way, and we could keep the tyre temperature under control. I think that's the main reason," Stella said. When the track grew greasy before the switch to intermediates, Norris simply maintained his lap times better than everyone else.
It was far from a straightforward afternoon, however, as different cars held advantages at different moments. Stella noted that generating temperature on the way to the grid was an immense challenge, highlighting the talent of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap. McLaren itself experienced fluctuating fortunes, looking strong in heavy water on Saturday during qualifying before losing ground when the track dried out. Later on, Norris excelled at the end of the soft tyre stint, a phase where Kimi Antonelli also showed strength after struggling initially.
Tactical choices during the slick tyre phase kept the pit wall on edge. Conversations about taking the original set of slicks all the way to the finish happened, but rivals changing to fresh rubber forced a reaction. Antonelli opting for another stop made life easier, while Russell stayed on the same set to transition onto intermediate tyres. Stella explained that uncertainty over the incoming rain led them to take the more rational approach with both drivers and pit for fresh rubber.
Beyond the tyres, Stella heaped praise on Norris for his exceptional feel and adaptability in low-grip environments, calling him a master of operating when conditions demand it. Yet the Team Principal admitted their beast remains pretty difficult to drive, noting they want to deliver a car that allows Norris and Oscar Piastri to race with more ease.
This late-season win arrives as a welcome relief after a stretch where rivals out-developed them following summer victories at the Hungaroring and Zandvoort, alongside a missed opportunity in Madrid. The result validates a fast-tracked Interlagos upgrade package designed as a stepping stone toward the 2027 car. More parts arrive in Vegas to build the foundation for next year.
Stella also praised the team's operational execution and solid pit stops following difficult outings like Canada, expressing pride in how the pit wall mastered the mixed conditions.
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