Antonelli Eyes Title Lock as Grid Lands at Interlagos

SÃO PAULO — The 2026 Formula 1 World Championship has reached its defining stretch as the paddock descends on the legendary Autódromo José Carlos Pace at Interlagos for Round 20. With only three races remaining in the season, 18-year-old Mercedes sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli stands on the verge of becoming the youngest Drivers’ Champion in Formula 1 history.

Carrying a massive 111-point lead over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (390 points to 279), Antonelli enters the final leg of the Americas triple-header needing only to maintain his gap to lock up the title.

Mercedes Crowned Constructors’ Champions in São Paulo

While the Drivers’ Championship crown awaits its formal mathematical coronation, Mercedes AMG Petronas officially wrapped up the 2026 Constructors’ World Championship following a wild, rain-affected São Paulo Grand Prix.

 A 4th-place effort from George Russell and a 5th-place drive from Antonelli pushed Mercedes to 652 points on the season.

 Holding a 142-point margin over Scuderia Ferrari (510 points) with only 129 points left on the table across the final three rounds, Mercedes sealed their first constructors’ title of the new engine era.

Norris Triumphs in Wet Interlagos Thriller

On track, McLaren’s Lando Norris put on a wet-weather clinic to claim victory in Sunday’s São Paulo Grand Prix. Starting from pole position, Norris navigated tricky surface transitions to cross the line first ahead of a charging Max Verstappen—who sliced through the field from 21st on the grid following engine penalties to take 2nd—and Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar in 3rd.