Mercedes wins fifth consecutive constructors’ F1 title in Brazil

Mercedes has defeated Ferrari to clinch its fifth consecutive Formula 1 constructors’ world championship title at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton's 10th victory of the season during a dramatic and tense race was enough to put the title beyond its closest rival Ferrari’s reach with a round to spare.

The German manufacturer headed into this weekend’s race in Brazil with a comfortable 55-point buffer in the standings, with Ferrari knowing it needed to outscore Mercedes by at least 13 points for the title battle to continue on to the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Mercedes had shipped 23 points to Ferrari amid its recent performances struggles in Austin and Mexico City but the Silver Arrows bounced back at Interlagos to seal its fifth title since returning to F1 in 2010.

The feat followed up on Hamilton’s recent drivers’ title triumph at the Mexican Grand Prix and ensured Mercedes continued its impressive clean sweep of winning every single world championship on offer since the start of the V6 hybrid era in 2014.

Mercedes has now surpassed Red Bull’s achievement of four straight world title wins to become just the second team after Ferrari (2000-2004) to win five successive world championship doubles.

It means Mercedes is now within touching distance of matching the Scuderia’s overall record of six constructors’ championship victories in a row from 1999-2004.