Mercedes arrive in São Paulo determined to hit back after two challenging weekends in Austin and Mexico that saw Ferrari pass them for second place in the 2025 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship as Red Bull Racing also closed in.
With four races remaining, just one point now separates Mercedes and Ferrari, while Red Bull sit only nine further back. Team Principal Toto Wolff made clear that every session at Interlagos will be crucial in the battle for second place.
Speaking in Mercedes São Paulo Grand Prix preview, Wolff said: “Four races to go. Just one point now separates ourselves and Ferrari, with Red Bull only nine further back.
"We have had a couple of tough weekends but we are still in the fight for P2. Each one of these four events is going to be vital in the battle for second in the Constructors'.
"Whilst our advantage over our rivals disappeared across Austin and Mexico, we can strike back in Brazil," the Austrian vowed.
Old-school Interlagos provides no margin for error
This weekend marks the penultimate Sprint event of the 2025 season, with the final Sprint weekend being in Qatar.
As usual, a Sprint F1 weekend adds further pressure on the teams to perform and get their car setup right with only one practice session before Sprint Qualifying.
Wolff acknowledged the challenge ahead at the race in São Paulo, renowned for its undulating layout and unpredictable weather.
“The penultimate Sprint weekend of the year means we have to be at our very best from the off," he said. "Interlagos is an old-school circuit with a bumpy surface, elevation changes, and a wide range of corners.
"Add in unpredictable weather and there is little margin for error. No matter what the weekend throws at us our aim is to hit the ground running, execute better than our competitors, and get back in front of our nearest rivals,” he said.
Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are fourth and seventh in the 2025 F1 Drivers' Championship respectively, the former having a tally of 258 points the latter having 97.
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