Sao Paulo, Brazil, November 5, 2026: Mercedes heads into the 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix with the Constructors’ Championship within reach, following a memorable weekend for the team at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Team Principal Toto Wolff has praised Kimi Antonelli’s achievement and George Russell’s performances this season, while stressing that the team must remain focused on the task ahead at Interlagos.

Antonelli’s success in Mexico was a special moment for Mercedes, with Wolff describing the World Championship triumph as an incredible achievement, particularly at this stage of the young driver’s career. He said Antonelli thoroughly deserved the recognition.

Wolff also acknowledged Russell’s disappointment following the Mexico weekend but backed the Briton’s performances throughout the season. He highlighted the circumstances outside Russell’s control that had affected his results, as well as instances when Mercedes had not provided him with a car capable of delivering his full potential.

Despite those challenges, Wolff said Russell had continued to push hard and make a valuable contribution to the team.

Mercedes Focuses on Constructors’ Championship at Interlagos

With the Mexico City GP behind them, Mercedes has shifted its attention to São Paulo, where it has an opportunity to secure the Constructors’ Championship.

Wolff said the team began the season targeting both championships and still has work to do to achieve that goal. He emphasised that the Constructors’ title would recognise the efforts of the entire Mercedes operation, including the teams working at the circuit and at its facilities in Brackley and Brixworth.

However, he warned that nothing has been decided yet. Interlagos is traditionally a demanding venue, leaving little room for mistakes. Mercedes will need to deliver a strong performance from the opening practice session and execute the weekend cleanly to put itself in the best position to secure the title.

Interlagos Presents a Unique Challenge for Mercedes

Mercedes’ third driver also highlighted the significance of racing in Brazil, describing Interlagos as one of Formula 1’s most historic and iconic circuits. The venue’s connection with Ayrton Senna adds to the occasion, with Kimi Antonelli’s own connection to the Brazilian legend expected to bring an additional emotional dimension to the weekend.

The third driver also pointed to the opportunity to clinch the Constructors’ Championship as a major moment for everyone involved with the team, given the work put in throughout the season.

From a technical perspective, Interlagos presents several challenges for the drivers and engineers. The circuit features a number of slower-speed corners where rear grip is crucial to extracting lap time. Its elevation changes and varying corner characteristics also make it important for teams to find the right car setup and operating window.

Mercedes will be aiming to make the most of those characteristics and deliver a competitive performance across the weekend. The team is targeting a strong result for both drivers, with the hope of getting both cars onto the podium while taking another step towards its Constructors’ Championship ambition.