Mercedes crowned F1 world champions in Brazil - ending Silver Arrows’ five-year wait

Crowned for the first time since 2021, the Silver Arrows secured the title with fourth and fifth-place finishes for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday, November 8.

It was an eventful race with variable weather conditions causing plenty of twists, including a spin for Russell in the pit lane and balance issues for Antonelli.

Russell and Antonelli qualified P2 and P3 respectively and they started strongly by setting the pace on the intermediate tyres on a drying track, however they lost their advantage when the switch to slicks arrived.

Both Mercedes drivers wrestled with their unpredictable cars as they struggled with tyre warm-up – causing them to fall down the order and allowing the likes of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to scamper up the road.

More rain came towards the end, prompting a switch back to the intermediates. Yet more issues with grip meant Russell and Antonelli were unable to catch up with the top three.

Albeit Mercedes’ first podium-less race of the entire season, it was a day to remember in Interlagos as the team clinched their ninth constructors’ title.

All the Silver Arrows needed to do was to earn three points more than Ferrari in Brazil and they did that comfortably, outscoring the Scuderia by 22 to six.

Sealing the ninth moves Mercedes level with Williams at third on the all-time list. It’s also a ninth constructors’ championship for team principal Toto Wolff, equalling Frank Williams for the most in F1 history.

“Winning the world championship is a proud moment for every member of our team,” Wolff said.

“F1 is a people business. The trophies may be handed over at the track, but success starts in our factories, in our meeting rooms, on the simulator, in the machine shops, and with every individual who contributes to our performance.

“What makes me happiest today is seeing the reward for that effort. The men and women in Brackley and Brixworth have shown once again what can be achieved when talented people work together with humility, determination and a shared purpose.”

As was the case with all eight of Mercedes’ previous constructors’ championships, the success simply would not be possible without the perseverance of the more than 2,000 team members behind the scenes.

For a select few dozen, all donning commemoratory t-shirts, there was an unforgettable opportunity to celebrate the title aloft the champagne-soaked Interlagos podium.

Wolff added: “I’m incredibly proud of everyone in this organisation. It has taken us several years to get back to the top and that has required an enormous amount of determination and hard work from everyone at Brackley and Brixworth.

“Not many teams have been able to come back from a period like that and win again. This championship belongs to every single person in this team.”