George Russell won the sprint race in Brazil. The Mercedes driver started from third position and showed excellent speed on the track in Sao Paulo. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) finished second and third.
GEORGE RUSSELL WINS F1 SPRINT!!! 🏆
Not bad for the bloke they call ‘Mr Saturday’ 😉
Well done, @GeorgeRussell63 and @MercedesAMGF1 👏#F1Sprint #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/wFvi3uBuPv
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 12, 2022
The weather at the Interlagos track was again dry and sunny and slightly cooler compared to the second training session. The air temperature was 22 degrees, and that of the asphalt – 36. The probability of rain during the sprint in Brazil was not great – 10%. The atmosphere was wonderful both on the track and in the stands.
It’s a real party atmosphere on the grid at Interlagos 💃🕺🥁
We can’t wait to get this party started in particular 😉
Follow along 👉 https://t.co/LpbrMcOApM #BrazilGP #F1Sprint pic.twitter.com/oZuF9gGMUo
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 12, 2022
Almost all the drivers decided to go with soft, except for Verstappen and Latifi, who were with medium.
Who’s ready for the Sprint? The #Fit4F1 drivers are and these are the tires they’ve chosen to start this one 🏁 #F1 #BrazilGP #Formula1 #Pirelli #Pirelli150 @F1 pic.twitter.com/soJwDCSrrB
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) November 12, 2022
Magnussen made a phenomenal start followed by Verstappen. The Red Bull driver defended his position from Russell and Norris. Behind them were Sainz, Ocon, Alonso, Hamilton, Perez and Leclerc. Further back, Gasly, Stroll and Schumacher gained several places. Albon lost several positions, as did the Alfa Romeo racers. Alonso started to lose speed due to a collision with Ocon. The Spaniard went through the pits to change the front wing, which broke off due to further contact with his team-mate.
LAP 1/24
IT’S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO!!!!
Kevin Magnussen makes a MEGA start, he leads into Turn 1 💪#BrazilGP #F1Sprint pic.twitter.com/wcTGwrZIyw
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 12, 2022
LAP 1/24
Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon have a moment 😳
It looks like Alonso may have picked up damage! #BrazilGP #F1Sprint pic.twitter.com/FPHSSTlrCv
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 12, 2022
On the third lap, Verstappen passed Magnussen with DRS on the start-finish straight. The Dane lost positions to Russell and Sainz. At the same time, Alonso complained on the radio about Ocon’s behavior.
LAP 3/24
Max Verstappen takes the lead from Kevin Magnussen!
The Dane moves into P2, Russell into P3 #BrazilGP #F1Sprint pic.twitter.com/nwnyP1YNOm
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 12, 2022
LAP 4/24
ALO 📻: “Just lost the front wing. Thanks to our friend”
Fernando Alonso makes contact with Esteban Ocon again! The Spaniard is furious #BrazilGP #F1Sprint pic.twitter.com/EtVuHarpD4
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 12, 2022
By lap six, Verstappen led ahead of Russell, Sainz, Hamilton, Magnussen, Norris, Perez, Leclerc, Ocon and Gasly. Alonso was last after changing his front spoiler. Meanwhile, air traffic control was reviewing the starts of Hamilton, Zhu and Ricciardo.
On the ninth lap, Perez dealt with Magnussen while Verstappen led ahead of Russell, Sainz and Hamilton. Stroll left no room for Vettel. The German has to go through the grass to avoid a shot. A lap later, Vettel passed his teammate.
LAP 9/24
VET 📻: “OK”
Seb’s not happy with Stroll after a close call between the two team mates 😳#F1Sprint #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/ySKlBXUOid
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 12, 2022
At the sprint halve in Brazil, Verstappen was fending off Russell in both DRS zones. Behind them, Hamilton was catching up with Sainz. Fifth was Perez, Magnussen, Leclerc and Norris. Russell made several more unsuccessful attacks on Verstappen. At the same time, yellow flags were raised due to Albon stopping in the first sector of the track. The Williams driver dropped out of the sprint race in Brazil.
LAP 12/24
GEORGE TRIES TO MOVE PAST MAX!!!
The battle for the lead is ON! 🤯#F1Sprint #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/3WdR5q5g5D
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 12, 2022
On lap 15, Russell overtook Verstappen on the straight ahead of turn #4. The young Brit was greeted on the radio. Sainz was defending himself from Hamilton.
LAP 15/24
GEORGE RUSSELL TAKES THE LEAD!!!!#F1Sprint #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/58Ci089v92
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 12, 2022
Stroll received a 10-second time penalty for the incident with Vettel, while Verstappen was cautioned for not crossing the track. At the front, Russell began to break away, while Sainz and Hamilton stuck behind the car of their Dutch rival.
19 laps after the start of the sprint race in Brazil, Sainz overtook Verstappen at the first turn. The two had contact that resulted in part of the RB18’s front wing breaking off. At the front, Russell led by 4 seconds. Magnussen was in seventh place before being overtaken by Norris.
LAP 18/24
SAINZ AND VERSTAPPEN MAKE CONTACT!!!
The Ferrari driver passes Verstappen#F1Sprint #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/aUIEflo5fz
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 12, 2022
On the penultimate lap, Perez asked if he could take Verstappen’s position because he needed an extra point, but was ignored by Red Bull. By the end of the sprint in Brazil, Russell crossed the start-finish line first, followed by Sainz and Hamilton. Verstappen and Perez finished fourth and fifth. Sixth remained Leclerc. The Ferrari driver was followed by Norris, Magnussen, Vettel and Gasly.
SPRINT CLASSIFICATION
George Russell takes a maiden #F1Sprint win!!! 💪#BrazilGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/9BTsiqJkHi
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 12, 2022
