Mercedes F1 Captures Constructors' Championship After Räikkönen Penalty

Mercedes clinched its second straight Constructors' World Championship in Sochi after Ferrari "slipped out of mathematical contention," according to Adam Cooper of FOX SPORTS. The news was not confirmed until "quite some time after the race," as initially, second place for Sebastian Vettel and fifth for Kimi Räikkönen ensured that Mercedes "would have to wait" until Austin. However, Räikkönen was "later demoted to eighth place, which changed the final points difference between the two teams enough to guarantee Mercedes the title." Lewis Hamilton's win was "also enough to secure the championship," despite an early retirement by Nico Rosberg after pedal issues "plagued the German driver at the start of the race." The win also has "huge financial significance" for Mercedes, since its '12 negotiations with F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone, the team "in effect placed a bet on its potential future success" and two straight World Championships now guarantee a "significant financial pay-off" (FOX SPORTS, 10/11).