Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team secured the 2026 Constructors’ Championship at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. It is their ninth constructors’ title in Formula 1 history. The team clinched the championship with three races remaining in the season.
The victory represents a return to form for Mercedes, following their last Constructors’ title in 2021. The team had previously achieved eight consecutive championships between 2014 and 2021.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal, expressed pride in the team’s recovery. He noted that few sports teams manage such a rapid rebound after a period of dominance.
The 2026 season also saw Kimi Antonelli secure the Drivers’ Championship for Mercedes. Antonelli clinched his debut F1 title at the Japanese Grand Prix. He became one of the youngest F1 champions at 20 years old.
Mercedes faced challenges after the 2022 regulation changes. The team struggled to optimize their ground effect cars from 2022 to 2025. This era followed their previous period of consistent success.
The 2026 Formula 1 regulations introduced significant technical revisions. Power units now feature increased electrical power and a simplified internal combustion engine. The MGU-H was removed, and MGU-K output rose to 350kW.
Aerodynamic rules were also revised to promote closer racing. Chassis dimensions were adjusted, making cars slightly smaller and lighter. Mercedes adapted effectively to these new car specifications.
During the period from 2022 to 2025, Mercedes still achieved race victories. George Russell and Lewis Hamilton secured seven Grand Prix wins between them.
Mercedes finished third in the 2022 Constructors’ Championship, second in 2023, and second again in 2024. The team concluded the 2025 season in fourth place.
Wolff acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining momentum during tough periods. He stated that such moments are necessary for growth as an organisation.
“Looking back in retrospect, you’re saying, ‘we needed these tough moments in order to grow as people or to grow as an organisation’. But when you’re down, that is quite difficult to feel.”
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix itself saw Lando Norris win for McLaren. Fernando Alonso finished second for Aston Martin. Charles Leclerc completed the podium for Ferrari.
George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes in Brazil. Kimi Antonelli secured fifth position. Both Mercedes drivers experienced spins in mixed conditions but recovered.
The top ten finishers at Sao Paulo were Norris, Alonso, Leclerc, Russell, Antonelli, Verstappen, Piastri, Hamilton, Sainz, and Gasly.
Wolff attributed the championship success to the team’s resilience. He highlighted the collective effort of 2,500 individuals. These personnel work across the UK factories.
Mercedes’ F1 operations are based in Brackley and Brixworth. Brackley handles chassis design and manufacturing, including aerodynamics. Brixworth focuses on power unit development and production.
Approximately 1,500 staff are at Brackley, with around 1,000 at Brixworth. The combined workforce produced the best car this season.
Mercedes now holds nine Constructors’ titles, matching Williams. Only McLaren, with ten, and Ferrari, with sixteen, have more in Formula 1 history.
Russell commented on the team’s journey back to the top. He joined Mercedes in 2022, hoping for regular championship contention.
“We’ve had four difficult years and the whole organisation put so much work into getting us back into this position. When I joined Mercedes in 2022, we hoped we’d be fighting for championships regularly, so to have gone through that journey and now get back to the top is something we should all be incredibly proud of.”
The next event on the Formula 1 calendar is the Las Vegas Grand Prix. It will take place from November 20-22.
