Mercedes were only the sixth best team, behind Red Bull, McLaren, Aston Martin, Ferrari and Alpine, whose Pierre Gasly swept past both Hamilton and Russell with humiliating ease.

Wolff said: ‘Fundamentally, we need a different car next year. And Sunday proved that is the right thing to do.

Mercedes’ display at the Brazilian Grand Prix has triggered a rethink ahead of next season

Team boss Toto Wolff has revealed that designs for next season’s car will now be ripped up

‘There is something fundamentally wrong mechanically. It feels horrible for the whole team. It’s not a rear wing and it’s not the car being slightly too high, because we are talking a millimetre or two. That provides performance, but it is not the explanation for a total off-weekend.’

Wolff has been wrestling with what to do about the car’s inconsistencies for almost two entire seasons, and a recent upgrade to the floor, brought in a fortnight ago in Austin, has not delivered reliable results.

‘This car is so unpredictable that it can swing either side, and we have just put plasters on it,’ added Wolff.