The Brazilian Grand Prix would start off as disappointing for McLaren as Sainz encountered engine problems during Q1, while Norris was eliminated in Q2. In the race however, their fortunes would change entirely, as Sainz fought his way through the midfield (including Norris) on a risky one stop strategy. Various frontrunners retired during the race, prompting several safety car periods and bunching up the field. After Ferrari teammates Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel collided, punctured their wheels and retired, Sainz gained two positions and was now in P5. After the safety car ended, Lewis Hamilton crashed with Albon, with Sainz passing Albon for P4 and Norris finishing in P8. After the race, Hamilton was penalized 5 seconds for his earlier incident, elevating Sainz to 3rd place (as he was only 2.257 seconds behind Hamilton). However, Norris did not gain a position from Hamilton as he finished more than five seconds behind the latter. This would be McLaren's first podium since the 2014 Australian Grand Prix. In addition, McLaren secured fourth in the Constructor's championship, 49 points clear of Renault. After Albon finished 14th, both Sainz and Gasly would pass him, and they were both on 95 points. However, Gasly finished 2nd in the race, so Gasly was currently P6 in the championship with Sainz 7th, owing to the rule that the driver who scored the best result in the season would finish higher in the championship if there was a tiebreaker.
