Mercedes edges closer to constructors' title ahead of São Paulo GP
Mercedes lead Ferrari by 126 points with four rounds left, while Haas has promoted Rafael Camara for this weekend and Cadillac's future with Valtteri Bottas is in doubt.
Formula 1 heads to Interlagos this weekend for the 20th round of the 2026 season. The official F1 site has picked five talking points ahead of the race. Drivers' champion Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes, who wrapped up the title in Mexico, are now chasing the constructors' trophy.
Mercedes close in on constructors' title
Mercedes lead Ferrari by 126 points with four races to go. With no sprint left on the calendar, 172 points remain available. After the São Paulo race, that gap would shrink to 129 if Ferrari score as expected. Mercedes need to extend the lead by just three more points to clinch the title. Ferrari have outscored Mercedes by 34 points over the last four races, but they need far bigger steps to keep the fight alive.
Ocon out at Haas, Camara in
Haas parted ways with Esteban Ocon before the Mexican Grand Prix on Saturday. The team gave no reason beyond saying it was not illness. Ocon will not return to the team for the rest of the season. Ryo Hirakawa raced in Mexico, but he is busy this weekend with the World Endurance Championship title battle. Haas have also brought forward 2027 driver Rafael Camara, who will make his first race start in his home country of Brazil.
Camara, 21, will drive a 2026-spec F1 car for the first time in free practice. His only previous run in a Haas came at the TPC test in August. The Formula 2 championship leader had been scheduled to race in the final two F2 rounds of the season. Haas say the seat is confirmed only for this weekend for now.
Tension at Ferrari after Mexico
Ferrari started the Mexican Grand Prix first and second with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at the front after the opening lap. Both drivers ran wide at Turn 4 while fighting for the lead. Leclerc received a time penalty, and Hamilton lost a place to Max Verstappen, who won the race. Ferrari scored 30 points instead of 43, while Mercedes lost only nine points to their rival.
Team principal Fred Vasseur voiced his frustration at the end of the race. Speaking to F1 TV, Vasseur said he would talk to the drivers before the Brazil round. In the drivers' standings, Verstappen is second, just two points ahead of Hamilton. Leclerc is fifth, five points behind Russell and 16 points behind Verstappen.
Bottas's future at Cadillac in doubt
When Cadillac announced their 2026 line-up, they signed Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas on multi-year contracts. Perez has since extended his deal to 2029. Team CEO Dan Towriss has openly questioned some of Bottas's race performances. Test driver Colton Herta is working toward the Superlicence he would need to replace Bottas. He will drive Perez's car in practice on Friday and needs to complete a clean 100 km session to earn the last points required.
Bottas has failed to finish 10 of the 19 races so far this season. In Mexico he crashed at high speed after a front-left suspension failure. Towriss said a scenario in which Bottas keeps his seat is still on the table.
Interlagos atmosphere
Interlagos, with its old-style layout, kerbs drivers can attack and significant elevation changes, is among the drivers' favourites. Antonelli will visit Ayrton Senna's private land in Tatuí this week. Early weather forecasts point to a chance of rain.
Key points:
- Mercedes lead Ferrari by 126 points; a three-point extension would make them constructors' champions
- Haas will race Rafael Camara in São Paulo in place of Ocon
- Tension continues at Ferrari after Mexico, while Bottas's seat at Cadillac is uncertain
This article was compiled with the help of AI from information published by Formula 1 (resmî site).
