Sao Paulo F1 GP: Wolff hails Mercedes double team and driver titles

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, George Russell and team principal Toto Wolff celebrate on the podium after winning the Constructors' World Championship. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Toto Wolff hailed his Mercedes team on Sunday after adding the constructors’ championship to Kimi Antonelli’s drivers’ title.

Needing to outscore Ferrari by at least three points at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, George Russell finished fourth and Antonelli fifth in a rain-swept Sao Paulo Grand Prix where Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished seventh and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton ninth.

“It was a very strong beginning of the season that got us over the line -- these last few races have been challenging!” said Wolff.

“I’m so proud of the organisation. We’ve taken a few years to be back on the top spot and not many teams have been able to come back from that situation.”

The Mercedes team took to the podium for a post-race celebration of its triumphant season and ninth constructors’ crown, which drew it level with Williams in third place in the all-time table behind Ferrari on 16 and McLaren on 10.

“They all deserve it -- an incredible year by everyone,” Antonelli 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.”

Russell said: “The main thing for today is that we got the constructors’ championship. It’s a huge amount of work from all of the team to achieve that.”

McLaren’s Lando Norris won the race ahead of four-time champion Max Verstappen and his Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar to foil Antonelli’s hopes of winning again a week after he became the sport’s youngest champion.