Antonelli grateful for Mercedes title despite Brazil disappointment

Kimi Antonelli finished fifth at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, a result he described as extremely disappointing, but said he was happy to set it aside to celebrate Mercedes securing the Constructors' Championship. He had already clinched his own drivers' title a week earlier in Mexico City.

Antonelli started second, took the lead from pole-sitter Lando Norris and built a margin before pitting for slicks slightly later than his rivals. Norris closed the gap on up-to-temperature soft tyres, and Antonelli spun at Turn 1 and lost the lead. He later regained first place briefly but lacked the pace to keep it, and he held fifth behind team mate George Russell despite a five-second penalty for an unsafe release.

The result was enough for Mercedes to win their first teams' title since 2021. Antonelli thanked the team at the track and at the factories in Brackley and Brixworth, and said he hoped to finish the season with more wins.