A Rollercoaster Sunday at Interlagos
Fresh off securing his own Drivers’ Championship title a week prior in Mexico City, Kimi Antonelli arrived at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace with strong momentum. Starting the Sao Paulo Grand Prix from P2 on the grid, the Italian driver seized the initiative early by overtaking polesitter Lando Norris into the first corner. From there, Antonelli built a solid gap at the front of the field, showcasing the competitive race pace that carried him to the championship.
However, the strategy unraveled when Mercedes chose to bring Antonelli in for slick tyres slightly later than his primary rivals. The delayed stop left him exposed to Norris, who quickly erased the deficit on fully warmed-up soft compound tyres. Suffering from a lack of grip as he exited the pits, Antonelli lost control at Turn 1 and spun off the circuit, allowing Norris to reclaim the race lead.
Handling Tribulations and Pit Lane Penalties
Following the spin, Antonelli communicated to the Mercedes pit wall that the car felt as though it was “steering by itself”. An onboard review by Mercedes engineers found no definitive mechanical fault, yet the newly crowned champion continued to struggle for pace. While Antonelli briefly cycled back into the race lead during pit stop phases, he was unable to maintain the top spot against advancing competitors.
His race was further compromised by a five-second time penalty issued for an unsafe release in the pit lane. Antonelli managed to cross the line in fifth place, finishing just behind Mercedes teammate George Russell. The combined points haul from both drivers proved decisive, providing the team with the necessary margin to seal the Constructors’ Championship with rounds to spare.
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Putting Personal Frustration Aside for Team Glory
Although Antonelli admitted to feeling “extremely disappointed” with how his individual afternoon unfolded, the broader significance of the day took precedence once the cars returned to parc fermé. Mercedes’ triumph marks their first Constructors’ Championship title since 2021 and their first sweep of both major Formula 1 titles in a single season since the 2020 campaign.
“I’m extremely disappointed with the race, but I’m going to put it aside, because today is a great day for the team,” Antonelli reflected. “They all deserve it, an incredible group of people.
“Not only here at the track, but everyone back at the factory – Brackley, Brixworth. They all deserve it, so I’m very happy for them.“I’m very grateful to be part of this group, because they were the ones to help me to achieve this dream of mine. I’m very happy for them.”
Why This Matters
Mercedes’ return to the top of the Constructors’ standings represents a monumental milestone in the team’s recovery path. After ceding team titles in recent seasons, winning both championships re-establishes the Brackley and Brixworth operations as the benchmark in the sport. Furthermore, with the final triple-header of the calendar approaching and preparations advancing for the 2027 season, securing both crowns early gives Mercedes a massive psychological and strategic boost.
When asked if he was excited to process the milestone events of the previous two weekends, Antonelli turned his focus toward the remainder of the calendar: “Yeah, of course. I’m looking forward to it, and looking forward to the end of the season.
“I really want to finish on a high and hopefully come back… finish with a couple more wins, and finish the season on a high. All we want is to keep the momentum going, as well into 2027, and the goal is to keep being successful.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Kimi Antonelli finish in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix?
Kimi Antonelli finished in fifth place (P5), directly behind his Mercedes teammate George Russell, after incurring a five-second time penalty for an unsafe release.
When was the last time Mercedes won both championships in a single season?
Prior to this title victory, the last time Mercedes clinched both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships in the same year was during the 2020 Formula 1 season.
Why did Antonelli spin out during the race?
Antonelli pitted for slick tyres later than his rivals, leaving his tyres colder and lacking grip compared to Lando Norris. After struggling for traction, he spun off at Turn 1 and subsequently reported over team radio that the car felt as though it was “steering by itself”.
