# Mercedes Secures Ninth Formula 1 Constructors' Championship Title George Russell and Kimi Antonelli clinch the title during the São Paulo Grand Prix. - **Source:** [SB Nation](https://www.sbnation.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/81fef79a-b614-453c-af7e-858ba4d7423a ## Mercedes Clinches Championship Title Mercedes officially secured the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship at the São Paulo Grand Prix. George Russell finished in fourth place, while Drivers’ Champion Kimi Antonelli secured fifth. These combined results provided the necessary points to surpass Ferrari in the standings, marking a significant return to the top spot for the team. ## Historic Gatorade Dunk Tradition Following the victory, the team introduced a new tradition to Formula 1 by performing the sport's first-ever Gatorade dunk. George Russell and Deputy Team Principal Bradley Lord doused Team Principal Toto Wolff while he was conducting a live interview with Sky Sports F1, bringing a classic American sports celebration to the paddock. ## Record-Equaling Milestone Achieved This victory marks the ninth Constructors’ Championship for Mercedes, bringing the team level with Williams in the all-time rankings. For Toto Wolff, this win represents his ninth title as a team principal. He now shares the record for the most championship wins by a team boss alongside the legendary Sir Frank Williams. ## Wolff Reflects on Comeback Toto Wolff expressed pride in his team's resilience after the race. He noted that it took several years for the organization to climb back to the top position. Wolff emphasized that few teams successfully recover from such challenging situations, attributing the success to the great people working within the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS structure. ## Strategic Performance in Brazil The São Paulo Grand Prix served as the decisive event for the 2026 season title race. By maintaining consistent pace with both Russell and Antonelli, Mercedes successfully defended their lead against Ferrari. The strategic execution during this race weekend was critical in ensuring the team reached the points threshold required for championship glory. ## Evolution of F1 Celebrations The introduction of the Gatorade dunk highlights how Formula 1 is increasingly adopting cultural elements from other major global sports. While champagne showers have long been the standard podium tradition, this spontaneous act signals a shift toward more diverse and informal celebration styles within the high-pressure environment of the elite racing series. ## Legacy of Team Principals The comparison between Toto Wolff and Sir Frank Williams underscores the historical significance of this achievement. Both leaders have defined eras of dominance in Formula 1 history. Reaching nine titles places Wolff in an exclusive tier of management, reflecting his long-term influence on the technical and operational success of the Mercedes team. ## Looking Toward Future Seasons With the 2026 Constructors’ title secured, Mercedes concludes a demanding season on a high note. The team now turns its focus toward maintaining this competitive edge for the upcoming year. Fans and analysts will be watching to see if the current driver pairing can sustain this momentum and defend their championship status next season. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.sbnation.com/formula-one/1135573/mercedes-celebrates-constructors-title-with-f1-first — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._