A few laps before Antonelli lost the lead, Russell, who had started seventh, spun exiting the pits. He had worked his way back into podium contention, then lost 15 to 20 seconds. Antonelli's lead was more than eight seconds by lap 13. The track was drying, and three laps later Norris came in for dry-weather slick tyres.
Norris had more pace than Antonelli in the closing laps, and the team ordered them to swap positions as McLaren sealed a ninth constructors' title, its first since 2021.
Norris won at Interlagos, taking his first victory in more than two months after spins by Antonelli and Russell.
The new world champion did it in a revived McLaren, crowning that achievement with a win at the first attempt.
Norris started from pole, lost the lead to Antonelli at the start and dropped back when the track was wet.
Antonelli defended for a couple of laps. Over the radio he complained that the car felt strange under acceleration.
Russell was broadside in the pit lane as rivals squeezed past him left and right. He straightened the car, rejoined and was down in 10th.
On lap 20 he lost control on the entry to Turn One, spun and handed the lead to Norris. Norris pulled away and built a five-second advantage in 10 laps.