Mercedes constructors’ title at stake at São Paulo GP on November 8, 2026 By Luís Henrique Costa
3 min read
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Mercedes can clinch the Formula 1 constructors’ championship on Sunday, 8 November 2026, at the São Paulo Grand Prix. To take the trophy three races early, the team must outscore Ferrari by three points over the weekend. Lewis Hamilton, of Ferrari, reaches his 400th Grand Prix start on the same day.
The title would end a drought dating back to the 2021 season and give Mercedes its ninth constructors’ championship, tying Williams for third place among the sport’s constructor champions. The drivers’ title is already settled. Kimi Antonelli, a Mercedes driver, clinched it after the Mexican Grand Prix on 1 November 2026, and at 20 years old he is Formula 1’s youngest world champion.
Gap of 126 points sets the size of the task
Mercedes leads the constructors’ standings with 630 points, while Ferrari has 504, a difference of 126. With 172 points still in play, including the Interlagos race, Mercedes needs to finish the São Paulo weekend at least 129 points ahead to end the title race. Mercedes also holds the countback tiebreaker, with 12 race wins to Ferrari’s two.
The Interlagos circuit measures 4.309 kilometres and tends to punish strategy mistakes. A single error in strategy could cost the exact points Mercedes needs. Team principal Toto Wolff said the constructors’ title “is obviously the one that pays the bonuses.”
Hamilton prepares for his 400th start in São Paulo
Hamilton, of Ferrari, will race the 400th Grand Prix of his career in São Paulo. Only Fernando Alonso has reached that number before, a milestone Alonso hit in the 2024 season.
Hamilton recalled that, when he approached 300 starts, some people said he would never return to the podium. Now at 400, he said he intends to focus on new wins. In Mexico he told reporters, “It’s my 400th race there, which is kinda nuts.”
Schumacher holds the Interlagos record with four wins
Michael Schumacher remains alone at the top of the winners’ list at Interlagos, with four victories on the circuit. Hamilton and Max Verstappen have three wins each and are chasing the record of the seven-time champion. Verstappen, meanwhile, is set to start the race from the back of the grid.
- 1994: Michael Schumacher wins for Benetton.
- 1995: Schumacher repeats the victory on the São Paulo track.
- 2000: Schumacher wins with Ferrari.
- 2002: Schumacher takes his fourth win at the circuit.
- 2016: Lewis Hamilton wins in Brazil for the first time.
- 2018: Hamilton takes his second win at Interlagos.
- 2019: Max Verstappen wins for Red Bull.
- 2021: Hamilton takes his third win at the venue.
- 2023: Verstappen wins the São Paulo round again.
- 2024: the Dutch driver takes his third trophy in the city.
Venue, timetable and Rafael Camara’s debut
- Venue: Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Interlagos), in the south zone of São Paulo.
- Qualifying: Saturday, 7 November 2026, at 15:00 Brasília time.
- Race: 14:00 Brasília time.
- Sprint: there is no sprint race at Interlagos this year.
- Brazilian on the grid: Rafael Camara, of Haas, makes his Formula 1 debut in place of Esteban Ocon.
- Next round: Las Vegas, from 19 to 21 November.
