F1 Brazil GP: Russell secures Mercedes’ first win of season
12th November 2022Mercedes’ George Russell secured his first win of the season – albeit a sprint – as his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, was under investigation for a starting procedure infringement.
How the Sprint Race unfolded…
It was fantastic start from Haas’ pole sitter who managed to go into turn one unchallenged as Verstappen contended with the Mercedes of George Russell. However, by the end of the first lap the top 10 remained unchanged.
The elbows were out between the two Alpines as both Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso made contact down into turn four. The Spaniard fought with his car to regain control as the two-time world champion was forced wide by his teammate.
By lap four, Verstappen snatched away the lead of the race from Magnussen as the Dutchman moved down the inside into turn one. Russell, Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) soon followed suit which demoted the Dane down to P5.
Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel nearly ended his sprint race in the barrier as he was forced onto the grass, on the exit of turn three as the four-time world champion attempted to overtake his teammate, Lance Stroll. Fortunately, Vettel was able to return all four wheels on the track but remain behind his teammate.
The outgoing world champion was soon able to make the move stick, at the end of the lap, down the main straight. Race control later put the incident under investigation before they quickly issued a 10-second time penalty for forcing a driver off the track.
As Verstappen and Russell battled it out for the race lead, and pole position for Sunday’s grand prix, Williams’ Alexander Albon brought out the yellow flag at the Senna S, the London-born driver stopped on the run-off area. Fortunately, the safety car was avoided as the stranded Williams was cleared away.
On lap 15, after the third time of asking Russell finally found a way passed Verstappen down into turn four to take the lead of the race.
Although Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was due to serve a grid drop, for a power unit penalty, the Spaniard slipped down the inside of Verstappen down into turn one, on lap 19. The two quickly made contact as Verstappen’s front-wing endplate slapped the sidewall of Sainz’s rear-right tyre.
As a result, Verstappen lost performance and stumbled down to P4 after he was also passed by Hamilton.
Although Hamilton tried his best to chase down the Spaniard, the seven-time world champion was not fast enough to fight over second place. Despite this, Mercedes will see their first front-row lock out but this would depend on the stewards investigation.
Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) and Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo) were under invesitgation for a starting procedure infringement.
Top three:
- George Russell, Mercedes
- Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
That’s it for the article; F1 Brazil GP: Russell secures Mercedes’ first win of season! Who do you think will lead into turn one on Sunday? Let us know in the comments!
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- Red Bull set to go ‘back to normal’ following Sky Sports Boycott
- Mexico GP Review: Ricciardo’s drive, Ferrari’s pace and Perez’s finger wag
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