Mercedes clinch ninth constructors' title at Sao Paulo GP, Wolff eyes 2027
Synopsis
Mercedes are F1 constructors' champions for a ninth time — but Toto Wolff wasn't celebrating. Even as the Silver Arrows outscored Ferrari by 16 points in Brazil to end a four-year title drought, Wolff was already dissecting what went wrong on race day and mapping out 2027. The title draws him level with the legendary Frank Williams.
Key Takeaways
Mercedes clinched their ninth F1 constructors' title at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on 9 November 2026 .
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli finished P4 and P5 , giving Mercedes 22 points and a 16-point advantage over Ferrari on the day.
It is Mercedes' first constructors' championship since 2021 , ending a four-year drought.
Toto Wolff refused to celebrate, saying he was already focused on the Las Vegas GP and the 2027 season.
The title draws Wolff level with Frank Williams , who also won nine constructors' championships.
Lando Norris won the race; Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar completed the podium in P2 and P3 .
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff guided his team to a ninth constructors' championship at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on 9 November 2026, as drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli crossed the line in fourth and fifth place respectively. The title is Mercedes' first since 2021, ending a four-year drought for the Silver Arrows.
How the Title Was Sealed
Mercedes required only three more points than Ferrari to clinch the constructors' crown. The team delivered emphatically, collecting 22 points at Interlagos and outscoring Ferrari by 16 on the day. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton — Ferrari's two drivers — could manage only eighth and ninth respectively, leaving the title beyond their reach.
Wolff Refuses to Celebrate, Already Thinking of 2027
Despite the historic achievement, Wolff was characteristically unsentimental. 'I'm not celebrating!' he said after the race. 'No, I'm fully on it already. I mean, my team says to me that I'm miserable because I never get to celebrate these moments.'
Wolff revealed that Deputy Team Principal Bradley Lord had to coax even a smile from him at the chequered flag. 'When the race was finished, Bradley said to me, 'You've got to put at least a smile on your face for the cameras' and I said, 'I can't, you know, this is me!'' he added. His mind had already moved to what went wrong in Brazil, upcoming races such as Las Vegas, and the 2027 season.
Race Day Struggles for the Silver Arrows
The championship win came despite a far-from-perfect Sunday. Russell spun on the pit exit in wet conditions, losing valuable track position. Antonelli also ran into difficulty mid-race, radioing the team about handling issues through left-hand corners during the second phase of the grand prix. A podium ultimately eluded Mercedes, with Lando Norris taking victory and Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar completing the top three in P2 and P3.
Wolff Draws Level With Frank Williams
The ninth constructors' title brings Toto Wolff level with the late Frank Williams, who also won nine championships with Williams F1. 'I had a close relationship with Frank, and to be there, it's amazing,' Wolff said. 'I can't believe it.' He also acknowledged team members who have amassed even more titles through stints at Brawn and Honda. Notably, this milestone ties Mercedes with Williams as joint-second most successful constructors in Formula 1 history.
What Comes Next
Attention now shifts to the Las Vegas Grand Prix and a full winter of preparation for the heavily revised 2027 technical regulations. Wolff's refusal to rest on the title suggests Mercedes are already in development mode — a mindset that could prove decisive in what promises to be a highly competitive regulation cycle.
Point of View
But not yet back to the dominance that defined their seven-title run. Wolff's refusal to celebrate is not false modesty; it is a recognition that the 2027 regulation reset represents both the biggest opportunity and the biggest risk for a team that has spent four years rebuilding. The real question is whether Mercedes' technical department can front-load development for 2027 while still closing the pace gap to Red Bull and McLaren in the remaining races. Drawing level with Frank Williams is a remarkable footnote — but Wolff, characteristically, is already past it.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Mercedes win the 2026 F1 constructors' championship?
Mercedes secured the 2026 constructors' title at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on 9 November by collecting 22 points through a P4 finish for George Russell and P5 for Kimi Antonelli, outscoring Ferrari by 16 on the day. They needed only three more points than Ferrari to clinch the title.
When was Mercedes' last F1 constructors' title before 2026?
Mercedes' previous constructors' championship was in 2021, making 2026 their first title in five years. The win ends a drought during which Red Bull dominated the sport.
Why was Toto Wolff not celebrating the title?
Wolff said he was already focused on what went wrong during the Brazilian Grand Prix and on preparations for the Las Vegas GP and the 2027 season. He described it as simply part of his character, adding that his team often tells him he is 'miserable' for not marking such moments.
Which record does Toto Wolff equal with Mercedes' ninth title?
The ninth constructors' title draws Wolff level with the late Frank Williams, who won nine championships with the Williams F1 team. Wolff described the milestone as 'amazing', citing his close personal relationship with Williams.
Who won the Sao Paulo Grand Prix and what were the full top-five results?
Lando Norris won the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with Max Verstappen finishing second and Isack Hadjar third for Red Bull. George Russell came fourth and Kimi Antonelli fifth for Mercedes, while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished eighth and ninth respectively.
