Mercedes clinched the 2026 Formula 1 constructors’ championship at the Brazilian Grand Prix, with George Russell finishing fourth and Kimi Antonelli fifth. The result secured the title with three races remaining, The Race reported.
It is Mercedes’ ninth constructors’ championship and its first since 2021, BBC Sport reported. The title arrived despite what The Race described as the team’s first Grand Prix without a podium finish this year.
Antonelli had initially put Mercedes in position to win the race, passing Lando Norris at the start and pulling away in the lead. But Norris stopped a lap earlier for slick tires and closed the gap. Antonelli then spun at Turn 1 on his second lap on those tires, handing Norris the lead, according to The Race’s race report.
Russell also spun, in the pit lane after switching from intermediate to slick tires. He later passed Antonelli to finish ahead of his teammate. The Race reported that Russell complained of balance issues, while Antonelli reported that his car was steering by itself and that he was struggling particularly in left-hand corners.
Norris took the victory for McLaren after a late downpour, with Max Verstappen second and Isack Hadjar third. Verstappen had started 21st, according to The Race. Mercedes finished off the podium but left Brazil with the constructors’ championship.
