The short version
- Mercedes has officially clinched the Formula One constructors' championship for the ninth time, marking their first double since 2020.
- Lando Norris won the São Paulo Grand Prix, extending his winning streak in Brazil and securing his third victory of the season.
- Max Verstappen recovered from a 21st-place grid start to finish second, while Kimi Antonelli’s struggles ensured Mercedes outscored Ferrari.
The Formula One season reached a definitive milestone in Brazil as Mercedes secured the constructors' world championship. The team needed only a three-point margin over Ferrari at the São Paulo Grand Prix to guarantee the title, a threshold they comfortably surpassed. This achievement marks Mercedes' ninth constructors' crown and their first drivers' and constructors' double since Lewis Hamilton claimed the championship in 2020. The result cements a season defined by early dominance under the complex 2026 regulations, where the team developed both the superior car and engine for the opening half of the year.
Lando Norris delivered a commanding performance to take the checkered flag at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace. Starting from pole position, Norris maintained control throughout a race characterized by shifting weather conditions and track incidents. He navigated both wet and dry segments with precision, ultimately crossing the finish line with a 14-second advantage over his nearest competitor. This victory represents his third win of the season and his second consecutive triumph in Brazil, bringing his career total to fourteen victories.
The race was marked by significant turbulence for the newly crowned world champion, Kimi Antonelli. Although he led the opening phase after beating Norris off the line, Antonelli encountered severe technical difficulties following his first pit stop. Issues with tire temperature imbalance caused him to go off track twice, a rare occurrence for the Italian driver who had otherwise demonstrated consistency throughout the season. These setbacks relegated him to fifth place, a result that proved sufficient for Mercedes to seal their championship given teammate George Russell’s fourth-place finish.
Max Verstappen produced one of his most impressive recoveries in recent memory. Starting from 21st on the grid due to penalties for using new engine components, the Red Bull driver surged through the field with sharp decisiveness. He reached second place just past the halfway point of the race, echoing previous strong performances at Interlagos where he has historically excelled in challenging conditions. His drive highlighted the competitive depth of the field and his ability to maximize opportunities despite starting disadvantages.
George Russell contributed significantly to Mercedes' success with a solid drive that secured fourth place. However, his performance was not without incident; a spin upon exiting the pit lane cost him valuable time and track position. Despite this error, his final standing was crucial in ensuring the team accumulated enough points to outscore Ferrari. The reliability of the Mercedes package remained a focal point, as the team had faced occasional technical weaknesses throughout the year, though their operational strength allowed them to maximize returns even without bringing upgrades at the same rate as rivals.
For McLaren, Norris's victory served as a validation of their recent development efforts. The team introduced final set of upgrades for this round, including a new front wing, which appeared to yield immediate benefits in race pace. While the championship title is no longer within reach, the performance demonstrated that McLaren remains competitive against Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari. The win provides momentum as the team looks toward future seasons, proving they can still contend for victories with strategic upgrades.
Other notable performances included Isack Hadjar finishing third for Red Bull and Oscar Piastri securing sixth for McLaren. Lewis Hamilton, competing in his 400th Grand Prix, started from 20th on the grid after taking a penalty for an engine change. He climbed to ninth place for Ferrari, while teammate Charles Leclerc finished seventh. The race concluded with a flurry of pit stops in the final ten laps as rain swept the track, creating treacherous conditions that tested the drivers' adaptability.
The conclusion of the Brazilian Grand Prix leaves Mercedes with a secured legacy for the 2026 season, having won twelve races from twenty meetings. Antonelli scored nine victories while Russell added three, showcasing the team's depth. As the championship battle shifts focus to the remaining rounds, attention will turn to how rivals address their own development trajectories and whether Mercedes can maintain their operational edge despite earlier reliability concerns.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗Dominant Lando Norris powers to victory in São Paulo F1 Grand Prix
