Sao Paulo [Brazil], November 9: Mercedes won the Formula One constructors' title in Brazil on Sunday, but only after recently-crowned world champion Kimi Antonelli and team-mate George Russell suffered big spins and an unsafe release.
Amid the drama, McLaren's Lando Norris took the chequered flag for the second straight year at Interlagos ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar.
Antonelli, who wrapped up a maiden drivers' title last weekend in Mexico, finished fifth behind Russell in fourth. It was the first race all season where Mercedes did not make the podium.
Ferrari were the only team who could prevent Mercedes securing the constructors' title with three races to go, but they were hampered even before the grand prix began. Grid penalties for new engines or parts meant Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, as well as Verstappen, started towards the back of the grid.
Verstappen charged up the field, while Leclerc and Hamilton could only place seventh and ninth.
Russell gave the Silver Arrows a scare by spinning in the pit-lane and causing chaos with other exiting cars, while Antonelli went off the track twice before recovering. He complained of suspension issues and was then reported to stewards for an unsafe release in the pits amid late rain.
Whatever happens with the stewards, Russell amassed enough points for Mercedes' first title since 2021 and their ninth overall.
Mercedes Team principal Toto Wolff said: "It is amazing, it was a very strong beginning of the season and that got us across the line ... Overall I'm so proud of the organization, we have taken a few years to get back to the top spot. Not many teams can come back."
Las Vegas up next, then where? The title means Mercedes draw level with Williams on nine championships, with McLaren on 10 and Ferrari leading on 16. Antonelli had quickly overtaken polesitter and previous world champion Norris at the start, only to surrender the advantage with his focus possibly wavering with the drivers' title already in the bag.
Norris, whose team have struggled a year after his title with just three wins to his name, said: "It was a very tough race, obviously not the best of launches off the line.
"A lot of challenges today, the conditions, going onto slicks in the wet is tough... The main thing today is I kept it cool, didn't make any mistakes.
"This weekend, we had an opportunity to get a pole yesterday, an opportunity to win and this year when I've had an opportunity, I've mostly taken it."
The next race on the calendar is Las Vegas on November 21. The season is meant to finish in Qatar a week later and Abu Dhabi in early December.
Source: Qatar Tribune
