Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team has secured the 2026 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship. The title was clinched at the São Paulo Grand Prix on November 8, 2026. This marks their ninth Constructors’ title and the first since the 2021 season.
The team also completed a championship double, with Kimi Antonelli having already secured the 2026 Drivers’ World Championship. This is Mercedes’ first Drivers’ and Constructors’ double since 2020.
Antonelli secured his Drivers’ title at the Mexico City Grand Prix, round 19 of 23, with four races remaining. At 20 years and 68 days, he became the youngest F1 World Champion in history.
His 2026 season includes nine Grand Prix victories, seven pole positions, and 19 podium finishes. Antonelli’s maiden F1 win occurred at the Chinese Grand Prix.
The Constructors’ Championship was confirmed at Interlagos, despite neither Mercedes driver finishing on the podium. George Russell finished fourth, and Antonelli secured fifth position.
McLaren’s Lando Norris won the São Paulo Grand Prix. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen finished second after starting 21st on the grid.
Antonelli initially led the race from second on the grid, overtaking pole-sitter Norris. However, he spun at Turn 1 on Lap 20 due to grip issues after switching to slick tyres.
He later received a five-second time penalty for an unsafe pit stop release. This penalty did not affect his final position as he maintained a sufficient gap to the car behind.
The São Paulo Grand Prix was characterized by changing weather conditions. The race began on intermediate tyres, transitioned to slicks, and then returned to intermediates as rain reappeared.
Mercedes’ 2026 car, the W17 E Performance, has recorded 12 race wins, four sprint wins, 24 podiums, and 12 pole positions as of the Mexico City Grand Prix.
The team leads the Constructors’ standings with 652 points after São Paulo. Ferrari is second with 512 points, a gap of 140 with 129 points still available.
Antonelli leads the Drivers’ Championship with 390 points. Russell is third with 262 points, one point ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.
Team Principal Toto Wolff described the championship win as a ‘proud moment’ for the team. He emphasized that success originates in the factories and with every individual contributor.
Wolff acknowledged the challenging four-year period preceding this championship. He noted the team’s efforts to understand and rectify previous performance issues.
Antonelli expressed disappointment with his individual race performance in São Paulo. However, he prioritized the team’s Constructors’ triumph.
“I’m extremely disappointed with the race, but I’m going to put it aside, because today is a great day for the team,” Antonelli stated. “They all deserve it, an incredible group of people.”
He extended gratitude to the 2,500 personnel at the Brackley factory and Brixworth engine manufacturing base. Antonelli highlighted their consistent effort in providing competitive machinery.
Despite Mercedes’ overall performance, the 2026 season has seen multiple race victories for Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren. McLaren, for instance, has secured three wins.
The 2026 regulations introduced significant changes to power units, chassis, and aerodynamics. Mercedes identified a loophole concerning compression ratios within these new rules.
