George Russell finally grabs the lead from Max Verstappen in the Sprint race at the Sao Paulo GP

George Russell finally grabs the lead from Max Verstappen in the Sprint race at the Sao Paulo GP George Russell triumphed in a thrilling sprint to lead a Mercedes lockout on the front row for Sunday’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix as world champion Max Verstappen struggled to fourth after a collision with Carlos Sainz. Verstappen took the lead from a stalled Kevin Magnussen in the early stages as the Haas quickly dropped back, but Russell, who started third for Mercedes, had too much pace for Red Bull and was forced into the lead at 15th round ago. easing into his first career win. Verstappen, who was one of only two cars not to start the race on soft tyres, suffered damage as he passed Carlos Sainz for second, which allowed Lewis Hamilton to overtake the Dutchman a lap later to take third. With Sainz facing a five-place penalty for getting a new engine this weekend, Mercedes are set to lock down the front row for Sunday’s race. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player George Russell beat Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton to win the Sprint race at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
George Russell beat Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton to win the Sprint race at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix However, Hamilton, along with Daniel Ricciardo and Zhou Guanyu, are under investigation for a grid violation at the start and could be penalised. Sergio Perez came back behind Red Bull-team Verstappen in fifth, with his rival for second place in the drivers’ championship Charles Leclerc further back in sixth. Lando Norris, who started fourth, overcame his struggles with illness to finish seventh, while pole-sitter Magnussen took the final point on offer in eighth. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Max Verstappen endures tough Sprint race at Sao Paulo GP as Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton pass him
Max Verstappen endures tough Sprint race at Sao Paulo GP as Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton pass him The win is the first of Russell’s F1 career and the first of the season for Mercedes, who will look to add a first outright victory of the 2022 test campaign on Sunday. The Briton takes eight points for winning the 24-lap race, with the reward for the top eight reduced by one point per position. More to come… Sprint GP Sao Paulo Result: Top 101) George Russell, Mercedes (8 points)2) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari* (7 points)3) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes (6 points)4) Max Verstappen, Red Bull (5 points)5 ) Sergio Perez, Red Bull (4 points) 6) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari (3 points) 7) Lando Norris, McLaren (2 points) 8) Kevin Magnussen, Haas (1 point) 9) Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin 10) Pierre Gasly , AlphaTauri

  • faces a five-place penalty after getting a new engine

Sao Paulo offers an action-packed Sprint

When Formula 1 introduced sprint racing last season, Saturday’s stunning spectacle in Brazil was exactly what the sport’s governing body had in mind. With all the action for each of its 24 laps, the brilliant competition reiterated the importance of providing Sprint races on host tracks where overtaking is possible. The race was aided by a wet qualifying on Friday, which saw Magnussen take a shocker for Haas and Hamilton, Perez and Leclerc starting from midfield. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player A dramatic first lap sees Kevin Magnussen hold the lead in the Sprint race at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
A dramatic first lap sees Kevin Magnussen hold the lead in the Sprint race at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix There was some intrigue before the race got underway as it was revealed that Verstappen along with Williams’ Nicholas Latifi were the only drivers not to start on soft tyres. Red Bull would explain after the Sprint that the decision was made to keep two sets of fresh soft tires for Sunday, but the call undoubtedly backfired in the short term. Verstappen came under immediate pressure from Russell at the start and while he managed to hold off the Mercedes before overtaking Magnussen, the Dutchman was unable to get out of DRS range. Russell continued to apply pressure and twice came close to passing Verstappen before finally making the move at the third attempt. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Max Verstappen reflects on the decision to ride on medium tires in the Sao Paulo Sprint race
Max Verstappen reflects on the decision to ride on medium tires in the Sao Paulo Sprint race While Mercedes comfortably pulled away, Verstappen fell into the clutches of Sainz, who was being chased by Hamilton, with it unclear if the world champion lost additional speed as a result of running over some debris on the track. Verstappen, who earlier in the week described the Sprints as “unfun” due to a lack of risk-taking and action, gamely tried to hold off Sainz but was passed at the first corner by the Spaniard before the pair made contact on the exit. With his front wing appearing damaged, Verstappen saw his 2021 rival Hamilton overtake him on the next lap and may have lost a further place had it not been for the friendly face of Red Bull team-mate Perez behind of.

Alpine and Aston Martin teammates collide

While the action at the front was exciting, there was much more from the back, notably a pair of skirmishes between teammates. It was Alpine duo Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso, who started sixth and seventh respectively, who clashed on the opening lap. Ocon forced Alonso sideways as the Spaniard tried to pass him at Turn 4, with the Spaniard only managing to keep control of his car as he drove over the kerb. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Karun Chandhok analyzes the clashes between Alpine drivers Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon during the Sprint at the Sao Paulo GP
Karun Chandhok analyzes the clashes between Alpine drivers Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon during the Sprint at the Sao Paulo GP It would then come into contact at the end of the lap as Alonso again tried to pass Ocon on the home straight, which left both cars damaged and ultimately doomed them to finish 15th and 18th respectively. Alonso, who is leaving Alpine for Aston Martin at the end of the season, expressed his displeasure with his team-mate over team radio and then again after the race speaking to the media. Asked if he had spoken to Ocon after the Sprint, Alonso said: “No, not really.” “There’s no need. It’s just one more fight and then it’s finally over.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Esteban Ocon says it’s unfortunate for the team that there was a clash between the Alpine drivers, while Fernando Alonso says “it’s one more race” as teammates
Esteban Ocon says it’s unfortunate for the team that there was a clash between the Alpine drivers, while Fernando Alonso says “it’s one more race” as teammates However, there is no guarantee of greener pastures next year for Alonso, with future team-mate Lance Stroll handed a 10-second time penalty for forcing Sebastian Vettel’s other Aston Martin off the track as the German tried to overtake. Vettel, who is retiring at the end of the season, clearly had too much pace for Stroll and passed soon after, before finishing just two seconds behind Magnussen in the final points position. Vettel was more diplomatic than Alonso after the race, saying it was a “fine line” when you are “fighting for your place” in the sport. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Lance Stroll forces his Aston Martin teammate Sebastian Vettel onto the grass at the Sprint Grand Prix of Sao Paulo.
Lance Stroll forces his Aston Martin teammate Sebastian Vettel onto the grass in Sao Paulo…