Hamilton wins in Brazil, Mercedes takes constructors’ title

SAO PAULO – Five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton won the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday, helping his Mercedes team to take the Formula One constructors’ title.

The British driver finished 1.4 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen completed the podium at Interlagos.

Hamilton’s 10th victory of the season was helped by Force India’s Esteban Ocon, who collided with Verstappen on the 44th lap when the Dutchman led the race. Verstappen had been building his lead over Hamilton, who was using medium tires as he waited for rain that never came in Sao Paulo.

Verstappen managed to stay in the race after the incident and get closer to Hamilton in the final laps, but it wasn’t enough for his second consecutive victory.

“I hope I can’t find him in the paddock now,” Verstappen said of Ocon. The Frenchman finished 15th.

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel, who is second in the overall standings, finished sixth.

It was Hamilton’s second victory at Interlagos, the same track where he won his first title 10 years ago.

Hamilton celebrated his win and his team’s title with samba dancers on the podium.

“This is what everyone works for, we really pulled together as a unit this year,” Hamilton said. His teammate Valtteri Bottas finished fifth.

The final race of the season is at Abu Dhabi on Nov. 25.

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