Mercedes seal 2026 F1 Constructors' Championship at Sao Paulo Grand Prix

[[{“value”:”

Mercedes captured the 2026 Formula 1 constructors’ championship at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, sealing a full sweep of both driver and team crowns following a dominant campaign under the sport’s revised engine and aerodynamic regulations.

The Silver Arrows secured their first constructors’ title since 2021 after George Russell finished fourth and newly minted world champion Kimi Antonelli took fifth at Interlagos. Antonelli had clinched the drivers’ title at the preceding Mexico City Grand Prix, becoming F1’s youngest-ever champion.

Meanwhile, McLaren’s Lando Norris earned his second straight Sao Paulo Grand Prix victory, crossing the line 14.6 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who staged a brilliant fightback from 21st on the grid. Verstappen’s teammate Isack Hadjar finished third to round out the podium.

Antonelli executed a strong launch to pass pole-sitter Norris into Turn 1 and take the lead. However, his race unravelled after he switched to slick tyres, spun at Turn 1, and dropped behind Lando Norris and Verstappen.

Russell’s podium ambitions also suffered a hit when he spun exiting the pit lane during his initial pit stop, falling to eighth before battling back to fourth.

Mercedes end their 5-year trophy drought

Starting 20th after qualifying engine issues, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton produced a strong opening lap to reach ninth before settling for ninth place following a tricky wet-weather race that featured a spin.

Antonelli received a post-race five-second time penalty for an unsafe pit release, though his fifth-place result stood. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc dropped to eighth after a matching five-second penalty for a late collision with Liam Lawson.

Mercedes entered 2026 as title favourites under new regulations that feature a near 50-50 split between internal combustion and electric power. The team met expectations by sweeping the opening six races and winning 12 of 20 events so far.

This crown marks a return to dominance after struggling under ground-effect rules from 2022 to 2025, mirroring their V6 turbo-hybrid dominance in 2014. With three races left, Mercedes have wrapped up both titles, underlining their successful adaptation to F1’s latest technical regulations.

This was Mercedes’ first constructors’ championship since 2021.

(With inputs from agencies)

“}]]