Mercedes explains Sao Paulo balance problems for both drivers

Mercedes technical director James Allison has explained the balance issues that affected both Kimi Antonelli and George Russell during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, a race in which neither driver finished on the podium. The team had already secured the Constructors' Championship in Brazil.

Allison said many drivers reported similar difficulties as the track dried, with Max Verstappen also complaining that his Red Bull became undriveable midway through the race. He pointed to standing water on the track after the switch from intermediates to slicks, which caused the tyres to lose temperature quickly. Antonelli also heavily flat-spotted his tyres after a spin at Turn 1, which made it hard to bring pace back into them.

Allison said Antonelli matched Lando Norris's pace once the car was stable, but not George Russell's pace on undamaged tyres, which he believes was mostly down to the flat spots.