Kimi Antonelli, the new world champion, paid tribute to the 2,500 personnel at his Mercedes team after they secured the F1 constructors’ title in São Paulo, describing them as an amazing group of people.
The race at Interlagos was won by McLaren’s Lando Norris but with Antonelli in fifth and his teammate George Russell in fourth it was enough to seal a first constructors’ title for Mercedes since 2021 and their first drivers’ and constructors’ double since 2020.
Antonelli, in only his second season in F1, maintained the titles had very much been a team effort at their factory in Brackley and their engine manufacturing base in Brixworth.
“They all deserve it, incredible year by everyone,” the Italian driver said. “Not only all the people here at the track but all the people back at the factory in Brackley and Brixworth. They’ve done an incredible year.
“It’s an amazing group of people who push every day to do their best and give us the best opportunity to fight for wins and championships. This year they’ve done an incredible job and that’s why they deserve this championship.”
Norris, who was the defending world champion this season, was pleased with his victory, McLaren’s first since the Dutch GP in August and only their third this year where Mercedes have been on top. But he was insistent he hoped it would indicate his team were on course to be more competitive next season and that McLaren could deliver.
“I just want to win very badly,” he said. “I want to be able to have a car we can fight for world championships with, which we’ve not had throughout this year.
“There’s been certain moments where we had a car where we could fight for wins and we did it today. We did it in a few other races this season but it’s not good enough. You need a car that can fight through a whole year and you need a consistent car, you need one where you can deliver week after week. That’s something we’re still working on.”
