News Summary

Mercedes celebrated its Formula 1 championship double on Wednesday, November 11, but the day’s biggest stories revealed a more complicated picture behind the team’s success. Toto Wolff admitted that Mercedes had made mistakes during its journey back to the top, while an analysis of the first 20 races showed Red Bull outperforming the champions over the most recent five rounds.

Max Verstappen also delivered a pointed warning to Ferrari, arguing that Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s equal status could continue causing problems. Meanwhile, a London court ruling revealed the scale of Formula 1’s financial dispute with the former Russian Grand Prix organisers.

Away from the championship battles, Andrea Kimi Antonelli surprised his Mercedes colleagues with a colourful celebration, and Lando Norris questioned a penalty imposed on Charles Leclerc in Brazil.

Here are the main Formula 1 stories published by GRANDE PRÊMIO on November 11.

Wolff admits Mercedes made mistakes on road to championship double

Toto Wolff reflected on Mercedes’ difficult recovery during celebrations at the team’s Brackley and Brixworth facilities, acknowledging that returning to championship-winning form required significant changes.

The Austrian highlighted the collective work behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s drivers’ title and the constructors’ championship secured in São Paulo. He also praised George Russell’s contribution, emphasising the British driver’s leadership and experience despite his difficult recent results.

Mercedes has already secured both championships, but Wolff’s comments come as the team faces questions about its reduced competitive advantage.

Read Wolff’s reflections on Mercedes’ mistakes, Antonelli’s title and Russell’s contribution.

Verstappen warns Ferrari against having two number-one drivers

Max Verstappen has questioned Ferrari’s decision to give Hamilton and Leclerc equal status, arguing that a team principal should establish a clear hierarchy to prevent costly conflicts.

The Red Bull driver pointed to the opening-lap battle between the Ferrari teammates in Mexico, where their confrontation created an opportunity for Verstappen to take the lead.

His comments contrast with Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur’s approach. The Frenchman has addressed the incident privately but has not announced a change to the team’s policy.

The disagreement raises questions about how Ferrari would manage its drivers if both became regular championship contenders in 2027.

Read Verstappen’s warning about Hamilton, Leclerc and Ferrari’s number-one driver policy.

Verstappen scores 116 points as Mercedes’ advantage fades

An analysis of the first 20 Grands Prix revealed how dramatically the competitive order has changed during 2026.

Verstappen scored 116 points across the most recent five races, compared with 88 for Antonelli and just 26 for Russell.

Red Bull’s team total increased from 57 points in the opening five rounds to 152 in the latest five. Mercedes moved in the opposite direction, falling from 219 to 114 — a decline of 47.9%.

Ferrari also outscored Mercedes during the most recent period, suggesting that the championship-winning team’s early advantage has diminished.

The figures provide an important starting point for assessing the teams’ prospects for 2027, although championship points alone cannot establish the precise performance difference between their cars.

Read the complete F1 NÚMEROS analysis of every driver’s and team’s points across four five-race periods.

Antonelli shocks Wolff with Italian flag hairstyle

Andrea Kimi Antonelli found an unusual way to celebrate his world championship.

The Mercedes driver arrived at the team’s Brackley headquarters with his hair dyed green, white and red, fulfilling a promise made after securing the title in Mexico.

Wolff appeared surprised by the transformation, while George Russell also reacted to his teammate’s new look.

Antonelli had previously considered using either the Italian national colours or those of his hometown, Bologna.

Read how Antonelli fulfilled his championship promise and surprised Wolff at the Mercedes factory.

F1 pursues secret counterclaim against Russian GP organisers

A newly published London High Court ruling revealed that Formula 1 is pursuing a substantial counterclaim against the former Russian Grand Prix promoter.

Rosgonki is seeking approximately US$24 million in advance payments associated with the cancelled 2022 event. Formula 1 disputes the refund claim and is pursuing a considerably larger amount under the terminated hosting agreement.

The exact value of the championship’s counterclaim has not been disclosed.

The court partially supported Formula 1’s request for security for legal costs, but the underlying contractual dispute remains unresolved.

Read the details of Formula 1’s financial dispute with the former Russian Grand Prix promoter.

Norris questions Leclerc’s penalty after Brazil collision

Lando Norris disagreed with the five-second penalty imposed on Charles Leclerc following his collision with Liam Lawson during the São Paulo Grand Prix.

Speaking during a Twitch stream with Max Fewtrell, the McLaren driver argued that the contact was part of normal racing.

The stewards took a different view, concluding that Leclerc had gained an advantage from the incident. The penalty dropped the Ferrari driver from seventh to eighth, promoting Lawson.

The decision also affected the championship standings and the final distribution of points between Ferrari and Racing Bulls.

Read Norris’ reaction to Leclerc’s controversial São Paulo penalty.

GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the 2026 Formula 1 championship, which resumes in Las Vegas on November 19–21.