News Summary
- Toto Wolff acknowledged Mercedes made mistakes and had to change during its journey back to Formula 1 championship success.
- The team principal praised Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s world title and highlighted George Russell’s leadership and consistency.
- Mercedes celebrated both championships despite scoring 47.9% fewer points in the latest five races than in the opening five rounds.
Toto Wolff has acknowledged that Mercedes made mistakes and had to change during its difficult journey back to the top of Formula 1, while defending George Russell’s contribution to the team’s 2026 championship success despite his recent decline in results.
Speaking during Mercedes’ celebrations at its Brackley and Brixworth factories on Wednesday, November 11, Wolff reflected on the challenges the organisation faced after losing its previous position of dominance. The team secured the drivers’ championship with Andrea Kimi Antonelli in Mexico before clinching the constructors’ title at the São Paulo Grand Prix.
“The past few years have tested us. We made mistakes, we challenged ourselves, we changed, and we kept working,” Wolff said.
The Austrian emphasised that Mercedes’ recovery required sustained effort throughout the organisation rather than a single technical breakthrough.
“There was never going to be a shortcut back to fighting for championships,” he added.
Wolff praises Russell despite difficult end to 2026
Although Antonelli has attracted much of the attention after becoming Formula 1’s youngest world champion, Wolff made a point of recognising Russell’s contribution to Mercedes’ success.
“George has also been fundamental to what we have achieved this season. He has performed at an incredibly high level throughout the year, delivered consistently, and been there when the team has needed him,” Wolff said.
The comments come at a difficult moment for Russell, who has scored just 26 points across the last five Grands Prix, compared with 116 for Max Verstappen.
The Red Bull driver has consequently moved 17 points ahead of Russell in the battle for second place in the championship, despite Mercedes having secured both titles.
As GRANDE PRÊMIO’s analysis of the last 20 races revealed, Russell’s points total has fallen from 88 in the opening five rounds to 26 in the latest five.
Wolff nevertheless stressed that the British driver’s value extends beyond his results.
“The leadership, experience and commitment he brings to the team have been hugely important,” he explained.
The team principal also emphasised that Russell played an essential role in securing the constructors’ championship, which Mercedes won at Interlagos despite neither driver finishing on the podium.
Mercedes is now considering how to support Russell’s attempt to recover second place, although Wolff has not announced a preferential strategy for the final three races.
Antonelli’s championship represents Mercedes’ long-term investment
Wolff also reflected on Antonelli’s development through the Mercedes junior programme, describing the Italian’s world championship as an especially meaningful achievement.
Mercedes supported Antonelli from an early stage of his career before promoting him to Formula 1. The decision attracted scrutiny because of his limited experience, but the Italian justified the team’s confidence by winning the 2026 drivers’ championship.
“We have known him since he was a kid and supported him through our junior programme, into Formula One and now to a World Championship. But he has earned this,” Wolff said.
Antonelli secured the title at the Mexican Grand Prix and helped Mercedes complete its championship double in Brazil.
His achievement also vindicated Wolff’s decision to promote the young driver despite commercial concerns. The Mercedes boss previously revealed that sponsors had questioned Antonelli’s appointment.
The celebrations provided a lighter moment when Antonelli arrived at the factory with his hair dyed green, white and red, fulfilling a promise made after winning the championship.
The unusual hairstyle surprised Wolff and Russell during the team’s celebrations.
Mercedes celebrates titles despite losing its early advantage
Mercedes dominated the opening part of 2026, winning the first six Grands Prix and building an advantage that ultimately secured both championships.
However, its recent results have been less convincing.
The team scored 219 points across the first five races but only 114 in the latest five, a decline of 47.9%.
Red Bull moved in the opposite direction, improving from 57 to 152 points across the same periods, while Ferrari collected 132 points in the most recent block.
Those figures suggest Mercedes no longer possesses the overwhelming competitive advantage it enjoyed earlier in the season.
Wolff had already acknowledged after São Paulo that the team’s recent races had been challenging. He also admitted that his immediate attention was turning towards understanding its problems and preparing for 2027.
Wednesday’s celebrations offered a different perspective, allowing the team principal to recognise the work that made the championship possible.
“The Constructors’ Championship belongs to every person in this team,” Wolff said.
He credited the contributions of employees throughout Brackley and Brixworth, emphasising that the results achieved on race weekends depend on work carried out across the organisation.
Mercedes now heads towards Las Vegas with both titles secured but with Russell still fighting for second place and the team attempting to recover its strongest form before 2027.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the 2026 Formula 1 championship, which resumes in Las Vegas on November 19–21.
