The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team clinched the 2026 Constructors’ Championship following the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, MotorSport.com.br reported.
The title was secured with a fourth-place finish from George Russell and a fifth-place result from Andrea Kimi Antonelli, as Ferrari’s struggling race saw Charles Leclerc finish seventh and Lewis Hamilton ninth.
Mercedes Ends Five-Year Drought
The German team’s triumph at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace marks its ninth constructors’ title and its first since 2021, CNN Brasil noted. This victory ends a five-year period in which Red Bull and McLaren dominated the championship.
Norris Claims Sao Paulo Victory
In Sunday’s race, Lando Norris of McLaren secured his second victory in Sao Paulo after starting from pole position, Globo Esporte reported. The Briton recovered from a challenging start to win the 71-lap race. Max Verstappen, starting from 21st on the grid due to engine penalties, staged a remarkable recovery to finish second, completing a Red Bull 1-2 podium with Isack Hadjar in third.
Verstappen’s Sao Paulo Resilience
Verstappen has a strong history at Interlagos, having won the race in 2024 after starting 17th and finishing on the podium in both 2025 and 2026 from the back of the grid, Folha de S. Paulo reported.
“The circuit allows using different lines, which I think is great because it really helps in the races. It’s a good track both in the dry and in the wet, which also creates more overtaking opportunities,” Verstappen said.
Norris’s Experience Proves Key
Norris, who has won the pole position in Sao Paulo for three consecutive years, credited his experience for managing the race's difficulties. “It wasn’t an easy race for me, mostly because of the car. Even so, we achieved a good result.
Our goal was to score points, and we got a good amount,” Norris stated. “The years in F1 help you make more conscious decisions along the way and know when it’s not worth taking too many risks.”
Championship Standings Tighten
With the constructors’ title settled, the focus shifts to the battle for second place in the Drivers’ Championship. Verstappen now holds a 17-point lead over Russell. Norris, who finished third in the race, has entered the contention, trailing by 33 points. Leclerc and Hamilton also remain mathematically in the running for the second position, though their chances are much lower.
Record Attendance at Interlagos
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix set a new attendance record, with a total of 316,096 spectators over the three-day event—Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—surpassing the previous record of 303,627 set in 2025, InfoMoney reported.
Contract Extended Until 2035
In a related announcement, the city of Sao Paulo and Formula 1 confirmed an extension of their contract, securing the race at Interlagos until 2035. This new agreement replaces the previous deal, which was set to expire in 2030. A key change for the 2026 event was the introduction of a permanent grandstand at the Senna S, a structure previously assembled and disassembled annually for the race.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Concludes the 2026 Season
The next race on the Formula 1 calendar is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final round of the 2026 season. The remaining races will determine the final standings for the season, with the fight for second place in the drivers’ championship expected to be a key storyline.
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