Toto Wolff Shares First Reaction as Mercedes’ Title Win Ties Him With Frank Williams

Mercedes are the 2026 Formula 1 constructors’ champions. The team secured the feat a week after Kimi Antonelli bagged his maiden drivers’ championship in Mexico. While Toto Wolff has every reason to celebrate, there is one that will stand out personally for the team boss.

Mercedes 2026 constructors’ championship win marks Wolff’s ninth as the team principal. The tally ties him with the great Frank Williams, who established the Williams Racing F1 team. As Wolff shared his first reaction to matching Williams’ title tally, he admitted that he never thought it was possible.

“It is amazing, it was a very strong beginning of the season, and that got us across the line… Overall, I’m so proud of the organization, we have taken a few years to get back to the top spot. Not many teams can come back,” Wolff said in the post-Brazilian GP interview with James Hinchcliffe.

“Frank is such an unbelievable icon of the sport. To be tied on constructors’ championships, I never thought it would be possible. It is amazing, I cannot believe it,” he added.

Wolff and Williams shared a positive camaraderie during their time working together at Williams Racing. While the Austrian joined the British team in November 2009 by purchasing a minority shareholding, he earned Williams’ trust to rise through the ranks. Playing the role of executive director in 2012, Wolff was often entrusted with deputizing at race weekends when Williams was absent.

Toto Wolff’s Radio Message to George Russell on Championship Win

Antonelli and George Russell started the race in P2 and P7. In a challenging race, which started under wet conditions, progressed to dry and eventually finished wet, the Silver Arrows’ drivers struggled just as much as other drivers on the grid. The pair finished the race in P4 and P5, with Russell finishing ahead of his champion teammate.

As the Briton crossed the finish line, Wolff told Russell that the result was enough to beat Ferrari, their sole challengers remaining mathematically to the title.

“We secured the championship. I think this is the most important [thing]. Thank you for surviving!” an elated Wolff told Russell.

Russell responded, “Well done, everybody. It’s great to see what we have achieved this year.”

Mercedes led Ferrari by 126 points coming into the race at Interlagos. To clinch the title at the Brazilian GP itself, the Brackley-based outfit needed to beat their rivals in red by three points. The Mercedes drivers sealed the victory for their team as Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished the race P7 and P9.

Will Mercedes and Ferrari’s Title Battle Continue if Kimi Antonelli Gets a Time Penalty?

The FIA stewards summoned Antonelli and a Mercedes representative after the conclusion of the Brazilian GP. Antonelli was involved in a potentially dangerous release in the pit lane as Franco Colapinto was approaching. If the stewards find the Italian guilty of the offence, he might get a 10-second penalty.

However, this penalty won’t affect Antonelli’s finishing position as he finished ahead of Oscar Piastri with a gap exceeding well over 10 seconds. As the penalty won’t affect Antonelli’s finishing position, it won’t affect Mercedes’ result either. That means the Silver Arrows’ championship win at Interlagos is sealed.

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