Mercedes clinched the Constructors’ title at the Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix last week, but for the first time in the 2026 season neither of its two drivers stood on the podium.
The German outfit had a truly dominant campaign throughout this championship. Up to Interlagos, across the 20 rounds contested, it had secured no fewer than 12 victories, maintaining a 142-point lead over Ferrari, the second-placed team.
But the Interlagos race proved tricky for the nine-time champions Mercedes. In the standings, George Russell had to serve a penalty for engine-component changes and dropped positions, while Kimi Antonelli started from third.
Nevertheless, the race featured highly variable weather conditions. The drivers navigated with intermediate and soft tires as the track dried again, the Italian encountered issues, the Briton spun at the pit exit, and in the end Russell finished fourth while Antonelli ended fifth.
Thus, in São Paulo, this was the first race of the 2026 Formula 1 season without either Mercedes driver on the podium. Lando Norris took the win, with Max Verstappen finishing second and Isack Hadjar completing the top three.
