Mercedes can clinch constructors’ title at São Paulo Grand Prix By Luís Henrique Costa
3 min read
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Mercedes can clinch the Formula 1 constructors’ championship at the São Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday, at the Interlagos circuit in São Paulo. The German team needs to outscore its closest rival, Ferrari, by only three points in Brazil to lock in the trophy three races before the season ends. The weekend also carries historic milestones for veteran drivers.
The title would end a wait that began in 2021, the last season Mercedes won the constructors’ crown. Mercedes has eight constructors’ titles so far, and a ninth would draw the team level with Williams on the all-time list. Kimi Antonelli already secured the drivers’ championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
How the 126-point gap shapes Mercedes’ title math
Mercedes leads the table with 630 points, while Ferrari is second with 504. The 126-point gap means Mercedes must extend its lead to at least 129 points after the Brazilian round to put the title out of Ferrari’s reach. Only 129 points remain after Interlagos, with Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi still on the calendar.
Interlagos has a history of punishing strategy mistakes. In a title fight decided by a few points, one wrong pit-stop call can cost a team the points it needs.
Lewis Hamilton reaches his 400th start in front of Brazilian fans
British driver Lewis Hamilton reaches 400 Grands Prix in his career at Interlagos, in front of the Brazilian crowd at the city’s autodrome. Only Spain’s Fernando Alonso has reached that mark before, in 2024.
Hamilton recalled that people said no driver would return to the top step of the podium after 300 starts. He said his focus now is on winning again as he reaches the 400-race mark.
Schumacher still leads Interlagos wins with four victories
Michael Schumacher, the former German driver, stands alone at the top of the wins list at Interlagos with four victories. Lewis Hamilton and Dutch driver Max Verstappen each have three wins at the track and are chasing the record of the seven-time world champion.
- 1994: Michael Schumacher wins for Benetton
- 1995: Schumacher’s second win on the São Paulo track
- 2000: Schumacher wins for Ferrari
- 2002: Schumacher takes his fourth win at the circuit
- 2016: Lewis Hamilton wins his first race in Brazil
- 2018: Hamilton’s second win at Interlagos
- 2019: Max Verstappen wins for Red Bull
- 2021: Hamilton’s third win at the autodrome
- 2023: Verstappen wins at Interlagos again
- 2024: Verstappen takes his third trophy in São Paulo.
Start time and venue for the São Paulo race
- Competition: 21st round of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship
- Venue: Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Interlagos), in São Paulo, SP
- Race date: November 8, 2026
- Start time: 2 p.m., Brasília time.
