Formula 1, Russell disappointed after Mexico: Mercedes targeting the constructors' title

Update · 7 November, 15:09

The São Paulo weekend comes with a Russell shaken by what happened in Mexico. The Briton said on social media that he had experienced moments of confusion and had had to deal with a season marked by bad luck and technical problems, while attention in the Mercedes pits was growing for the constructors' title.

At Interlagos the Brackley team can settle matters as early as Sunday. Russell's disappointment is intertwined with Antonelli's moment, who in Mexico took home the world title, and with a championship in which Mercedes leads by 126 points over Ferrari.

In the Mercedes camp the message remains clear: points are needed from both drivers. Toto Wolff, after the Mexico GP, admitted to having «let Russell down», said the team principal according to FormulaPassion.

Mercedes arrives at Interlagos with a concrete chance of clinching the 2026 Constructors' World Championship. Formula1.com puts the team in the lead with a 126-point margin over Ferrari, which remains the only one still capable of reopening the fight. Red Bull and McLaren, meanwhile, are already out of the title race. The Brazilian weekend comes after the double points finish achieved in Mexico City, a result that stretched the Brackley team's advantage.

Mercedes' season has already gone through several high points, including the double 1-2 finishes in the first two races and the one in Monza. The tally stands at 630 points collected in 2026, with nine wins for Antonelli and three for Russell. There are still theoretical margins to change the history of the championship, but in São Paulo Toto Wolff's team can already put its seal on the constructors' standings.

The scenarios at Interlagos

According to Formula1.com, if Mercedes were to leave the weekend more than 128 points clear of Ferrari, it would already have settled matters. In practice, the team only needs to beat Ferrari by three points or more. The points still available after this round are 129 and, in the event of a tie on points, Mercedes would still be ahead thanks to the greater number of wins.

Ferrari still in it, but with no margin for error

The situation remains open only on paper for Ferrari. If the Maranello team were not to score points, an eighth place for Antonelli or Russell would be enough for the Mercedes title. If, on the other hand, Ferrari were to seal a 1-2, the battle would continue beyond Brazil. Should the title not be settled at Interlagos, the next opportunity would be Las Vegas, before the season closes in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.