Mercedes seal ninth constructors' title at Brazilian GP to complete 2026 double

Mercedes secured their ninth Formula 1 constructors’ championship at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli finishing fourth and fifth to move beyond Ferrari’s reach and complete a historic 2026 season double.

The title was confirmed despite a difficult afternoon for the Silver Arrows. Antonelli, starting second on the grid, took the lead from polesitter Lando Norris at the start and built a five-second advantage over the opening seven laps, only to spin at Turn 1 and hand the position back to the McLaren driver. He then began to lose ground, reporting over team radio that “the car is pulling to one side when accelerating.”

Russell had started seventh after receiving a five-place grid penalty, and heavy rainfall in the closing laps ultimately shaped the final order. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished seventh and ninth respectively, leaving them unable to close the gap to Mercedes, who had arrived in São Paulo with a 126-point lead and needed to extend it to 129.

Norris won the race for McLaren, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar completing the podium.

Team principal Toto Wolff delivered the news to Russell over the radio after the chequered flag. “We secured the championship. I think this is the most important [thing]. Thank you for surviving!” Russell replied: “Well done, everybody. It’s great to see what we have achieved this year.”

The constructors’ crown completes a clean sweep for Mercedes in 2026. One week earlier at the Mexican Grand Prix, Antonelli clinched the drivers’ title to become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history.

The 2026 constructors’ title is Mercedes’ ninth, adding to their run of consecutive championships from 2014 through to 2021.