Toto Wolff responds to matching F1 icon feat: 'Never thought it possible'

Toto Wolff has conceded that he "never thought it possible" he would match the feat of F1 icon Sir Frank Williams.

For the ninth time, Mercedes are constructors' champions, overseen by team principal Wolff, who has now drawn level with Williams for third on the all-time list. 

The title was confirmed after a messy race in Brazil, where Lando Norris took victory for McLaren ahead of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli salvaging fourth and fifth for Mercedes despite a difficult afternoon.

Russell had started seventh after a five-place grid penalty, whilst he also spun in the pit lane exit at one stage after a wet-to-dry tyre change.

Antonelli also spun twice, once before the start and again at Turn 1 while running at the front, as he struggled to get temperature into his tyres.

It was Mercedes' first race of the season without a podium finish, but it did not matter: the result was enough to put the title beyond Ferrari's reach with three rounds still to run.

Asked about matching Williams's tally, speaking to Sky Sports F1, Wolff said:

"Obviously, Frank is such an unbelievable icon of the sport, and to be tied on constructors' championships, I never thought that was ever possible," he said.

"I had a close relationship with Frank, and to be there, it's amazing. I can't believe it.

"But also, fair justice. There are some of our people who have won more than mine, who were with Brawn, winning it with Honda, God knows what, and they have more. So yeah, I take it. It's great."

Reflecting on the shape of the campaign overall that has yielded the first constructors' title after its run of eight from 2014 to 2021, Wolff added: "It's amazing.

"It was a very strong beginning of the season, and that got us over the line. These last few races, there have been some challenging times.

"Today, it was difficult, but overall, I'm so proud of the organisation.

"We've taken a few years to be back in the top spot. Not many teams have been able to come back from such a situation, and it just shows the great work, the great people that we have in our organisation, and it's fantastic to be among them."