Following Kimi Antonelli’s recent success in securing his first Formula 1 world drivers’ title at the Mexico Grand Prix, Mercedes is now positioned to claim its ninth constructors’ championship at the upcoming race in Brazil. The team has dominated the season with 12 victories in 19 races, establishing a significant lead over its closest rival, Ferrari.
The Path to the Championship
Mercedes currently holds a 126-point advantage over Ferrari. While the Italian team remains the only competitor with a mathematical chance of catching the Silver Arrows, the deficit makes a comeback highly unlikely. To clinch the constructors’ title in Sao Paulo, Mercedes simply needs to outscore Ferrari by a minimum of three points.
There are several scenarios in which Mercedes can secure the trophy this weekend:
- Both Mercedes drivers finish in the points and ahead of the Ferrari pair.
- Mercedes achieves a 1-2, 1-3, or 1-4 finish.
- Mercedes secures a 2-3 or 2-4 finish, provided Ferrari does not win the race.
- Both Mercedes cars finish in the top five, with no Ferrari driver on the podium.
- Either Kimi Antonelli or George Russell finishes in the top eight, while both Ferrari cars retire.
Historical data from the current season supports the likelihood of this outcome, as Mercedes has managed to outscore Ferrari by three points or more in 10 of the 19 rounds held so far, excluding sprint races.
A New Era for Mercedes
The 2026 season represents a milestone for the team, as it marks their first world title success without Lewis Hamilton since 1955. The transition has seen the young Kimi Antonelli step into a lead role, a shift that team principal Toto Wolff described as a unique experience.
Reflecting on the team’s history, Wolff told Autosport.com that the championships won alongside Hamilton were deeply rewarding and culturally significant. “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’,” Wolff stated.
Regarding the current campaign and the emergence of Antonelli, Wolff noted the contrast between the two eras. He described the young driver as a refreshing presence who still maintains a youthful perspective, noting that he recently found the driver at a water park for his birthday. “As long as we can all help to preserve it, he’s intertwined with Mercedes, and that’s also great to see,” Wolff added.
The team heads to Brazil looking to finalize its championship campaign following a difficult outing in Mexico, where Mercedes publicly acknowledged it had failed to provide George Russell with the necessary support for a competitive race.
