Mercedes on brink of ninth Constructors’ title in Brazil

After Kimi Antonelli secured his first Formula 1 World Championship at the Mexico Grand Prix, Mercedes stands on the brink of adding a ninth Constructors’ trophy to its record at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The Silver Arrows have dominated the season, winning 12 of the first 19 grands prix and building a comfortable 126‑point lead in the Constructors’ standings. Only Ferrari retain a mathematical chance of catching them, but the gap makes it a tall order.

Mercedes had their first opportunity to clinch the title in Mexico, which would have required a 1‑2 finish and Ferrari scoring no more than four points. This time, the points gap means they need to outscore Ferrari by at least three points in São Paulo.

Non‑exhaustive ways Mercedes can win the title at the Brazil GP

• • Both Mercedes cars finish in the points and ahead of the Ferraris
  • Mercedes takes a 1‑2, 1‑3 or 1‑4
  • Mercedes finishes 2‑3 or 2‑4 and Ferrari doesn’t win
  • Both Mercedes cars finish in the top five, no Ferrari on the podium
  • Antonelli or Russell finishes in the top eight, both Ferraris retire

Across the opening 19 rounds of the season (excluding sprint races), Mercedes have outscored Ferrari by three points or more on ten occasions.

Kimi Antonelli steps into Hamilton’s hero role at Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photo by: Alex Bierens de Haan / LAT Images via Getty Images

The 2026 season marks the first time Mercedes have won world titles without Lewis Hamilton since 1955, with the young Antonelli leading the charge.

“The championships with Lewis were absolutely incredible and rewarding,” team principal Toto Wolff said.

“I felt that we all were part of Lewis’ history, of the greatest champion, and that we would look back many years to come and say, ‘We’ve been world champions with Lewis Hamilton’. And this is something I’m very much still thinking about. He is one that stayed relevant and is very much culturally relevant beyond Formula 1.

“So that was very, very special championships that I will have for my whole life with me, and this one is different. As I said before, for me [Kimi] is still the kid that hasn’t even changed visually a lot.

“It’s so refreshing. I tried to get hold of him a few weeks ago and said, ‘Where’s Kimi?’. Kimi, for his birthday, he’s in the water park. Great! And as long as we can all help to preserve it, he’s intertwined with Mercedes, and that’s also great to see.”

Additional reporting by Roberto Chinchero and Ronald Vording

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