Mercedes to investigate W17 balance problems after Brazil

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has said the team will investigate the root cause of balance problems that affected both drivers at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The team clinched the Constructors' title despite an incident-ridden race at Interlagos, in which George Russell and Kimi Antonelli both lost positions.

Russell said he could not explain why his car ended up facing the wrong way on the pit lane exit, while Antonelli lost control of his car at Turn 1 while leading. Both reported strange car behaviour on the intermediate tyre after rain arrived, leaving them without the pace to challenge for third. Russell said the team's initial theory centred on a sudden rise in tyre temperatures on the out-laps.

Wolff said he believed the problem was linked to tyre pressures or the set-up direction the team had chosen, and that the post-race investigation would establish the cause.