Brazilian GP: Mercedes under pressure to recover from recent struggles. Mercedes heads to the Brazilian GP determined to recover from recent struggles.

Mercedes arrives at the Brazilian Grand Prix aiming to leave behind the difficulties faced in the last two races. During the North and Central American rounds, the Brackley team collected just 30 points, losing second place in the Constructors’ Championship to Ferrari. Meanwhile, Red Bull, buoyed by Max Verstappen’s consistent form, has drawn even closer, intensifying the championship battle as the season approaches its final stages.

The Interlagos circuit, hosting the penultimate Sprint event of the season, represents a crucial opportunity for the team led by Toto Wolff, who is calling for an immediate reaction. “There are four races left in the season. We are only one point behind Ferrari and nine points from Red Bull. We’ve had two challenging weekends, but we are still fully in contention for second place in the Constructors’ Championship,” he said.

“Every race will be decisive, and after losing ground in Austin and Mexico, we aim to respond strongly in Brazil. With the penultimate Sprint weekend of the year, it will be essential to maximize our work from the very first session. Interlagos is a traditional track, with an uneven surface and a variety of corner types; add the possibility of rain, and the margin for error is minimal. The objective remains clear,” Toto concluded, “start strong and reclaim second place.”

Mercedes, Kimi Antonelli: “Track position is fundamental”

Mercedes’ inconsistent performance in recent races has also been linked to struggles in qualifying. In an increasingly tight field, grid position has become crucial, as highlighted by young Kimi Antonelli, in his first year in Formula 1. Modern cars generate significant turbulence, making overtaking more difficult and amplifying the importance of Saturday performance.

“This year, track position has been practically fundamental,” the Bolognese driver said. “Even the first lap can make a real difference. If you can gain a few positions at the start, you can defend them more effectively because clean air provides an important advantage. Qualifying is decisive, especially with such small gaps: a mistake can be very costly, and in Q3 I still have room to improve. I think the key is to manage every detail at the right moment, especially in the final stages of qualifying. When I find the right balance, things can change.”