Norris wins wet-dry-wet Sao Paulo GP as Verstappen recovers and Mercedes clinch constructors' title; BBC Q&A addresses Hamilton's form and longevity

Lando Norris converted pole into victory at a wet-dry-wet Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday, with Max Verstappen recovering from starting at the back of the grid because of an engine penalty to finish second and Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar third; Mercedes sealed the constructors' championship for the first time since 2021 at Interlagos after George Russell finished fourth and new world champion Kimi Antonelli was fifth. BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson used the race weekend to answer readers' questions about Lewis Hamilton's form, the season's so-called 'yo-yo' racing and other driver and calendar issues.

Hamilton reached his 400th Formula 1 grand prix this year and has taken pole position in more than 100 of those races, placing him among the sport's most statistically successful competitors; Benson noted Hamilton has the most race wins and pole positions and is tied with Michael Schumacher on seven world championships, with some contention over the 2021 season's final race. Benson cited standout drives in Hamilton's career, including the 2008 British Grand Prix and the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix, and confirmed Hamilton has won races in nearly all his seasons apart from 2022, 2023 and 2025.

Benson described Hamilton's difficulties in the ground-effect era from 2022-25, saying the driver was beaten by Mercedes team-mate George Russell in two of their three seasons together and "looked a shadow of his usual self" against Charles Leclerc in 2025, but added that with this year's cars Hamilton is "performing extremely well again and is neck-and-neck with Leclerc." Benson said Hamilton has been sensitive to questions about that period and quoted him on the 400th race: "I never ever thought that I would be reaching numbers like that," he said. "It's crazy because I still feel young, and regardless of the things that people say, you saw my pole last week, I still have the pace, I still have the speed and I still have the dedication, which is most important and the focus. For me, that number is kind of irrelevant."

On the broader question of longevity, Benson noted Hamilton is 41 and wrote there is no obvious age-related reason why he cannot continue racing for several more years, pointing to Fernando Alonso, who is 45 and "is still performing at an extremely high level, as he proved yet again in Brazil at the weekend." Benson recorded Hamilton's stated aim to keep racing at least until Formula 1 returns to Africa, which Benson said "will not be until 2030 at the earliest, when he, too, will be 45."

Explaining the reduction in 'yo-yo racing' from earlier in the season, Benson outlined the role of this year's new power-units, which he said have a near 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power and include 'boost' and 'overtake' modes; he added that 'overtake' gives a driver following within one second an extra 0.5MJ of energy recovery and deployment capability per lap. Benson attributed the decline in yo-yo battles to two factors: recent tracks being less energy-starved and teams and drivers becoming more familiar with the new engines, and he noted rule changes since the season started, such as imposing energy limits on tracks where it is a major issue. He also reported that further steps will be taken to change the energy split to 60-40 in two steps by 2028 and said that is "almost certainly going to lead to the frequency of overtaking reducing, while the drivers become happier with how the cars feel to drive."

Addressing driver career choices, Benson said that when it became clear Esteban Ocon would not be retained by Haas next year and options for a race seat had "evaporated," the Frenchman insisted his F1 career was not over and favoured staying in the sport as a reserve driver. Benson listed the practical benefits: a reserve is available if a race driver is incapacitated, remains familiar with current machinery through simulator sessions and driving recent cars, and "simply keeps his face around and in people's minds," whereas Benson wrote that going to other series makes it "much easer to be forgotten, or for people to assume your time has come and gone."

On the uncertainty over Liam Lawson's 2027 prospects, Benson said the decision rests with Red Bull shareholders Chalerm Yoovidhya and Mark Mateschitz and Red Bull's F1 boss Oliver Mintzlaff, with Lawson competing in contention with team-mate Arvid Lindblad and F2 front-runner Nikola Tsolov. Benson outlined contrasting approaches within Red Bull's decision-making history and reported Racing Bulls team boss Alan Permane's remarks in Brazil: "Red Bull's had a very successful young driver programme," he said, "and I don't want to be critical of it, but I think if you guys are critical of it, maybe sometimes the drivers haven't been able to have enough time to settle, or maybe some snap decisions have been made. "We're trying to apply a little bit of science, and that takes some time. "So we are looking at everything and studying, analysing, and time is on our side. We're not in a rush to do anything, and I'm very confident the right decision will be made. "I realise it's frustrating for our drivers. I realise it's frustrating for everyone else, but we want to get it right, and we will get it right."

Benson also addressed the place of classic circuits on the calendar, saying Formula 1 must balance being a global championship, providing exciting racing and a mix of circuit types, and generating revenue; he wrote classic tracks often sit in countries unable or unwilling to pay the big fees while some autocracies can pay larger amounts. Benson reported that F1 makes compromises to keep venues such as Monaco, Silverstone, Spa and Suzuka on the calendar and seeks to make new tracks compelling for drivers and spectators, using Las Vegas as an example that "is far from the greatest track in terms of driving challenge" but compensates with spectacle and kudos, and noting former driver Alex Wurz designed the new tracks in Qiddiyah and Rwanda, "which are both due to come on to the calendar in the next few years," with Wurz having tried to ensure they are "fulfilling and challenging for drivers and promote good racing."

For Hamilton to continue to the point he has specified, Benson concluded, "he will need at least one new contract, as his current one with Ferrari is believed to end next year."