Formula 1: Joy for Mercedes as George Russel tops Brazilian GP sprint race

Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton will start the race at the front alongside Mercedes teammate George Russell, who takes pole

The Brazilian GP is the penultimate race of the season ahead of Abu Dhabi on November 20

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George Russell secured first place in the sprint race prior to the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 1:08pm, 13 Nov 2022

Formula One team Mercedes had a day to remember at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday. Alpine had a day to forget.

Mercedes driver George Russell will start Sunday in pole position after winning the sprint race at Interlagos – his team’s first win of the season – with teammate Lewis Hamilton also in the front row, while Alpine drivers Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon had a high-profile clash on the track.

“It’s crazy to think we’re both starting on the front row,” Russell said. “We’re in a luxury position where we can maybe split the strategy and go for the win.”

Seven-time champion Hamilton, who will race for the first time as an honorary citizen of Brazil, was also excited about the 1-2 start.

Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton compete during the sprint qualifying at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace racetrack. Photo: AFP

“This is an amazing result. So from there we should be able to work as a team and hold off hopefully the guys behind,” Hamilton said.