Yahoo Autos Brazilian Grand Prix sprint race: George Russell takes thrilling win after Max Verstappen tussle
09:06 PM
Report
Russell insists no team orders as Mercedes line up 1-2
George Russell insists there will be βno team ordersβ from Mercedes as he attempts to win the first grand prix of his career in Brazil.
The 24 year-old, who won Saturday's sprint race at Interlagos and will begin Sunday's race from pole, will be joined on the front row by his team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who is looking to extend his extraordinary run of winning at least one grand prix in every season of his career.
Russell insisted there was no chance he would be ordered aside for the seven-time world champion. But he conceded Mercedesβ best hope of keeping the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, starting third and fourth respectively, behind them, was perhaps to split their strategies. βThere definitely wonβt be any team orders,β Russell said when asked whether the team might favour one of them. βBut I think between the two of us we hopefully can get it right.
βIn Mexico we both did the same strategy and it maybe cost us. Iβm sure we will be splitting the strategies tomorrow to cover all options. Hopefully one of us comes away happy.β
Hamilton, for his part, said he would be delighted with a one-two, whichever of them finished first.
βThis is an amazing result,β said the 37-year-old, who began the sprint race in eighth place and finished third, rising one place on Sunday's grid thanks to the five-place grid penalty handed out to Ferrariβs Carlos Sainz for an engine change.
βFor us to be on the front row tomorrow is incredible so from there we should be able to work as a team and hold off the guys behind.β
Russell's win, his first of any description in Formula One, owed much to a strategic error by Red Bull, who elected to put double world champion Verstappen on medium tyres for the 24-lap race, when everyone else in the top 10 was on softs.
It rapidly became clear they had erred as Russell swarmed all over the back of the Dutchmanβs gearbox even before he passed Haasβs surprise pole-sitter Kevin Magnussen at the start of the third lap.
Russell eventually managed to pass Verstappen on lap 15 after multiple attempts, with Sainz and Hamilton also making it past the Dutchman before the finish.
Behind them, there were some interesting battles - notably between Alpine team-mates Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso, and Aston Martin team-mates Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll.
But the big winners were Mercedes. After all their porpoising issues at the start of the year, their struggles with their βzero-podβ concept, the wind is finally in the Brackley teamβs sails just as the season is about to finish.
Mercedes cut their deficit to second-placed Ferrari to just 36 points after this sprint race.
A similar result in the full grand prix would make things very interesting out in Abu Dhabi next weekend.
Russell said he was hopeful of landing his first win in Formula One. βI mean itβs crazy to think we are both starting on the front row,β he concluded. βIβm sure Max is going to be flying tomorrow, coming through the pack, but we are in a luxury position and we can maybe split the strategy and go for the win.β
Once the lights went out all eyes were on Haasβ Kevin Magnussen to see how long he might be able to stay out in front following his extraordinary pole-winning performance in qualifying on Friday. The answer was two laps. The Dane ended up eighth despite an excellent start.
But the big talking point turned out to be Red Bullβs decision to run Verstappen on medium tyres. It rapidly became clear they had erred as Russell swarmed all over the back of the Dutchmanβs gearbox even before he passed Magnussen at the start of the third lap. Russell finally managed to pass Verstappen on lap 15 after multiple attempts, with Sainz and Hamilton also making it past the Dutchman before the finish.
There is only one week and two races left of this season but after all their porpoising issues, their struggles with their βzero-podβ concept, the wind is finally in Mercedesβ sails. They cut their deficit to Ferrari in the constructorsβ championship to just 36 points as a result of this sprint race, with Russell taking eight points and Hamilton six.
A similar result in Sundayβs grand prix would make things very interesting out in Abu Dhabi next weekend.
08:48 PM
What does that do to the constructors' standings?
Well, it is useful for Mercedes, who are now within 36 points of Ferrari. Two rounds left to go, and that is not impossible to overturn but it would probably take some Ferrari bad luck or retirements.
Handy for Haas, too, who now go two points ahead of AlphaTauri.
08:43 PM
Updated driver standings - Top 10
Makes Perez's attempt to get second in the standings a bit more likely and gives Russell a hefty 17-point advantage over Hamilton.
08:40 PM
This was the incident that got Lance Stroll a 10-second penalty
Absolutely fair. You cannot do that. Not the first time Stroll has done similar this season.
The Aston Martin's getting up close and personal π― pic.twitter.com/0i7TJ9B5du
β Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 12, 2022
08:39 PM
Fair to say that Alonso was not happy with team-mate Ocon
"I lost the front wing, thanks to our friend" ππ»
Fernando Alonso is NOT happy! pic.twitter.com/6T5RDH3C0aβ Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 12, 2022
He had two comings-together. He is off to Aston Martin next year.
08:37 PM
Verstappen a bit dejected
But it sounds like he had fun.
The battles were quite good, just that I was on the wrong end of it. They were quite cool.
08:35 PM
Christian Horner speaks to Sky Sports F1
We took the decision to start on the medium, if we could survive the first 12 laps the second half would become more comfortable. Mercedes had a very quick car today and we couldn't hold them off. I think it's a combination of both [tyre difference and race pace] we seen they have been heavily developing this car this season... they have been getting close and closer. It's no real surprise that they have had this performance with the parts they have been developing.
The soft tyre would have been better for us tomorrow but the advantage is that we take that extra set tomorrow. The advantage we gave up today [get back] tomorrow. I think it sets up a really fascinating grand prix for tomorrow. Mercedes are going to be quick.
08:32 PM
Progress has been pretty slow and steady for Mercedes all season
Only two races left to go, but this will provide some cheer. And it might give them their best chance of a race win tomorrow. I think Verstappen's true pace was masked quite significantly with the strategy they chose today, as well as some damage, but the Mercedes definitely looked as competitive as it has all season.
TEAM MERCEDES π€π₯π€
It's a @MercedesAMGF1 front row lock-out for Sunday's Grand Prix! π#BrazilGP #F1Sprint pic.twitter.com/rW75rePoa9β Formula 1 (@F1) November 12, 2022
08:29 PM
Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin speaks to Sky Sports
It was nice today to give him a car to show what he could do at the front. Really impressive drive by him. I think we look like we had a bit of an edge on Ferrari today, it is going to be a bit warmer tomorrow which might change the picture a bit. It's been a lot of hard work to get here but certainly the update we brought a couple of races ago has brought us into contention.
He also says that, when it comes to positioning on the grid - which Hamilton is being investigated for - it looks like, from their cameras, that Hamilton looked fine. He posits that it might be a sensor issue.
08:23 PM
Hamilton speaks after his third place
I am so so happy to be here. It's been an incredible week. Difficult day yesterday. This is an amazing result, for us to be on the front row is incredible. Hopefully we can hold off the guys behind.
We are going to try as hard as we can, if we can have some good degradation tomorrow, hopefully some good weather, we can have a fight on our hands. A win here for Brazil would be incredible.
08:22 PM
Carlos Sainz on a decent second
He will take a penalty and start from seventh tomorrow.
We normally have a bit more deg than the Mercs and I could see then pushing quite hard. I had to be aggressive because obviously tomorrow I am taking the penalty. I think P2 is the maximum. The Mercs look like that have picked up the pace recently.
[On the Verstappen contact]
It was on the limit for sure, they are so difficult to pass and I had to go really tight in turn one to pass him. I'm sorry if I had a bit of contact but that's racing and sometimes you need to go for it if you want to make it stick.
[On chances of a a good race]
We have decent pace this weekend but it's just maybe that the Mercs have maybe a little bit more pace. Obviously we would need to pass them on track tomorrow because I am starting P7. We are going to need a good race if we are going to beat them.
08:18 PM
George Russell reacts to his sprint win
It was incredible, I wasn't expecting to have that much pace but it goes to show how much hard work the team have been putting in. It's difficult to know how Max would have got on had he been on the soft tyres... but standing here it's a good feeling.
I think it's a little bit difficult because this is a sprint race and you've got to manage that risk and reward... I didn't want to risk it too much and end up starting from the back. It's crazy to think we're starting on the front row, Lewis did a great job coming from P8. I'm sure Max is going to be flying coming throughthe pack. We are in a luxury position that we can split the strategy and maybe go for the win.
08:12 PM
Magnussen finishes eighth in the end
So that's a point and means he will start seventh, at least, tomorrow. A job well done. Probably too much to keep anyone else behind him and a chance to score points tomorrow.
Thatβs the π in the #F1Sprint at Interlagos π§π·
Kev takes a point after finishing P8 π
And Mick made great progress from 20th to finish 12th, where he will start tomorrowβs main race π#HaasF1 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/Djy8l4QhvTβ Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) November 12, 2022
08:08 PM
Brazil GP sprint - Provisional classification
RUS
SAI
HAM
VER
PER
LEC
NOR
MAG
VET
GAS
RIC
MSC
ZHO
BOT
ALO
TSU
STR
OCO
LAT
OUT: ALB
08:08 PM
Hamilton pretty happy
Mega job guys. Mega. Congrats to George. Awesome.
He is then told that Sainz will take a penalty for tomorrow's race so it could be a Mercedes starting 1-2. That said, Hamilton does face an investigation for perhaps not quite being in the right place in his grid box.
08:05 PM
GEORGE RUSSELL WINS THE BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX SPRINT!
An excellent drive. A bit messy for Verstappen, really. Went onto the medium tyres and didn't really have the pace. Hit some debris early on which may have cost him some lap time, had a great battle with Russell and then had contact with Sainz which caused him further damage...
"That's how we roll baby, that's how we roll. Very nicely done. Very nicely done. Big points for tomorrow," says Russell on the radio after he takes the chequered flag.
08:04 PM
FINAL LAP
Russell leads Sainz by four seconds, with Hamilton within DRS range of Sainz but running out of corners. Sainz will need a mistake here, most likely if he is to surrender second place.
08:03 PM
Lap 23 of 24 - Perez asks his team if Verstappen will move over, in effect
He needs the points he says. That would be for second in the standings. Reminder that Hamilton, Ricciardo and Zhou are being investigated for a start procedure infringement, but not a jump start. That will be looked at after the race. So these positions could well change.
08:02 PM
Lap 22 of 24 - This would not count as a grand prix win for Russell
But it would be a significant moment, of course. A great tussle with Verstappen earlier on.
Sainz posts a lap a little faster than Hamilton. He does not yet have DRS. Sainz should be okay for second here.
08:01 PM
Lap 21 of 24 - Russell leads Sainz and Hamilton
Hamilton closing in a bit but not massively. Verstappen has to worry about his team-mate behind...
07:59 PM
Lap 20 of 24 - Norris gets Magnussen for seventh
This would still be a point for Magnussen and Gasly is four seconds further back, so he should be okay. Should be.
Russell leads Sainz by four seconds with Hamilton 1.5s behind the Spaniard. Sainz says he is running out of tyres. Verstappen is 1.8s behind Hamilton.
07:58 PM
Lap 19 of 24 - Sainz and Verstappen touch!
Sainz goes down the inside at turn one and takes second place... but they touch ever so slightly!
Carlos Sainz down the inside π
They make contact on Max's front wing π₯ pic.twitter.com/AWgMi5DQhUβ Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 12, 2022
Verstappen's left-front endplate comes away on the second straight after that and he now has Hamilton to worry about...
Hamilton bides his time in the first two sectors but then gets the spot with DRS on the pit straight. Verstappen dropping back here, down to fourth.
07:56 PM
Lap 18 of 24 - Russell leads Verstappen by 2.6s
He's pulling away. Think Verstappen is just happy to take second here. Sainz is still being harried by Hamilton for third. Sainz is within DRS range of Verstappen.
So, yes, Verstappen would be delighted to take second. Wonder if his car was damaged after hitting that debris...
07:55 PM
Lap 17 of 24 - 10sec penalty for Lance Stroll
That seems proportionate for that move on Vettel. His team-mate.
07:54 PM
Lap 16 of 24 - Top 10 and gaps
RUS
VER +1.5
SAI +2.9
HAM +3.5
PER +8.1
LEC +12.8
MAG +14.7
NOR +16.2
GAS +20.4
VET +22.2
07:53 PM
Lap 15 of 24 - Russell takes the lead!
Can Russell make it stick this time?! Yes, he does... the same move... bides his time in turn one and then gets DRS, goes to the outside at turn four.
The previous two times it wasn't enough but this time he is a bit later on the brakes and gets to the corner first and takes the lead! Lovely driving.
George makes the move stick and he LEADS the Sprint! π₯ pic.twitter.com/LgrwOIWsu0
β Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 12, 2022
Hamilton is harrying Sainz for third here. Mercedes have decent pace in these conditions, no doubt.
07:51 PM
Lap 14 of 24 - Verstappen leads Russell by 0.5s
Verstappen says he hit some debris but it's okay. Russell is closer than ever at the end of the second. Magnussen, the polesitter, is holding his own in sixth as it stands with Leclerc in hot pursuit.