Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team has initiated an investigation into the handling inconsistencies experienced by both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli during the São Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Team Principal Toto Wolff confirmed that the team identified “something wrong” with the W17 cars at Interlagos.
Despite securing their ninth Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship at the event, Mercedes drivers reported unusual behaviour from their cars. Wolff indicated that the rear tyres were excessively worn, while the fronts appeared new, suggesting a significant balance problem.
“Both reported a very, very strange behaviour of the car, like something’s broken on the suspension or too much pressure in the tyres,” Wolff stated. “I believe that we’ve gotten something wrong on the pressures or on the setup.”
Kimi Antonelli, who started second on the grid, initially led the race after overtaking Lando Norris at Turn 1. However, after switching to slick tyres, Antonelli reported a suspected suspension issue and an “unstable” rear.
The Italian driver subsequently spun at Turn 1 on lap 20, losing the lead to Norris. Antonelli described the incident as having “no warning” and that the car felt like it was “steering by itself.”
Antonelli eventually finished fifth, securing crucial points for the Constructors’ Championship. He also received a five-second post-race penalty for an unsafe pit release, which did not alter his final position.
George Russell’s race was also compromised by an incident on lap 15. Starting seventh due to a five-place grid penalty for an Internal Combustion Engine change, Russell spun at the pit-lane exit after transitioning to slick tyres.
The spin briefly saw Russell contact the wall and dropped him several positions before he recovered to finish fourth. Russell admitted he took a “high risk” in the challenging conditions, which included a drying track after a wet start.
Ironically, Russell’s pit-lane incident influenced his strategy, leading him to a one-stop race that proved beneficial when rain returned in the closing stages. He was later allowed to pass Antonelli to secure fourth place.
The São Paulo Grand Prix was marked by mixed weather conditions, with the race starting on intermediate tyres before a switch to slicks, followed by a return to intermediates as rain intensified. Several drivers reported difficulties with grip during the tyre transition phases.
Mercedes’ trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin, confirmed the team is working to understand the unusual balance issues reported by both drivers. The 2026 F1 regulations introduced narrower tyres and higher minimum pressures, which have been a source of driver complaints regarding grip and handling throughout the season.
Despite the car’s inconsistent performance, Mercedes clinched their first Constructors’ Championship since 2021 with three rounds remaining in the 2026 season. This follows Antonelli’s Drivers’ Championship victory at the preceding Mexican Grand Prix.
