Kimi Antonelli has barely had time to celebrate becoming Formula One’s youngest drivers’ champion, yet Mercedes already has another trophy in sight. The Silver Arrows take a 630–504 lead over Ferrari into this weekend’s São Paulo Grand Prix — a 126-point cushion with four rounds left. Outscore the red cars by three points or more at Interlagos and Mercedes will seal the constructors’ championship for the first time since 2021.
The numbers favour them; recent form is messier. Ferrari has often outscored Mercedes across the past four races, even after Hamilton and Leclerc collided on the opening lap in Mexico and handed victory to Max Verstappen. Hamilton arrives for his 400th start at a circuit he loves; Leclerc skips Thursday media duties after the birth of daughter Bianca, with junior Dino Beganovic covering FP1. Verstappen, winner of three of the last four grands prix, sits second in the drivers’ standings and remains a spoiler for anyone needing a clean Sunday.
Antonelli and George Russell still control their destiny. A one-two, a win plus third, or a win plus fourth would end the contest on the spot. Team principal Toto Wolff calls the constructors’ crown a verdict on the whole organisation — trackside crews and the factories in Brackley and Brixworth — while insisting nothing is won yet. Antonelli plans a special helmet honouring Ayrton Senna on the 35th anniversary of the Brazilian’s emotional home win, a gesture likely to warm the Interlagos crowd.
Brazil closes a triple-header and returns to a full weekend without a sprint, though tropical storms can rewrite any plan. If the title slips away on Sunday, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain. For now the story is simpler: a 20-year-old champion, a towering team lead, and a first mathematical chance to make 2026 a double for Mercedes.
