JAKARTA - Mercedes racer George Russell won his first career win in Formula 1 after winning a tight sprint race on Saturday at Interlagos ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The British racer started from P3 on the grid behind polesitter Kevin Magnussen of the Haas team and two-time world champion Max Verstappen of the Red Bull team.
Russell showed off Mercedes' fastness and speed in the 24-round race before stealing Verstappen's lead on lap 15th.
The Red Bull driver, who overtook Magnussen at the start of the third lap, did not get enough grip and speed from the medium tires he used to defend the podium so he was overtaken by Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton in the last six laps.
Sainz will undergo a five-place starting penalty for the main race of the Sao Paulo GP on Sunday for using a new engine. This means that Hamilton will join Russell in the front row of the 2022 season-winning race tomorrow.
Verstappen finished P4 in front of his teammates, Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari car.
Meanwhile, Lando Norris finished P7 for McLaren in front of Magnussen who secured the last point in the sprint race.
Russell's victory was also the first success for Mercedes this season.
"This is extraordinary. I didn't expect to have that kind of speed, but I think it shows the hard work of everyone and our progress as a team," Russell said, quoted by Antara, Sunday, November 13.
"The last three races since Austin, this car feels really good. Of course, it's hard to know how Max goes if he uses soft tires, but even so, being here feels amazing."
Hamilton, who has just been awarded the title of honorary Brazilian, hopes to win for the first time this season in order to maintain a record of always winning at least one race each season.
Despite finishing P3, Hamilton has the opportunity to be penalized for allegedly violating the start procedure and waiting for the results of the steward's investigation.
In the dry and warm race that day, Magnussen started well after claiming his first pole position and led the opening two laps before Verstappen overtaken on the third lap.
The duet of Alpine's team Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon got into a fierce battle and both collided on the track. The two-time world champion had to replace his front wing due to the friction.
"He threw me at Turn 4 and then on the straight track," Alonso reported.
Verstappen controlled the race, but only until the 15th lap as Russell overtook him to Turn 4, following a tight four-lap battle between them.
In the race leadership position, Russell showed Mercedes strength as Magnussen slipped to P7 and Hamilton climbed to P4 in the second Silver Arrow car.
On lap 19, Sainz overtook Verstappen at Turn 1, which caused the Dutchman to damage the front wing. Hamilton climbed into the podium zone after passing the Red Bull rider.
Two Aston Martin riders were also involved in fierce competition as Lance Stroll defended Sebastian Vettel's attack, which forced the four-time world champion to maneuver off the track and clear the grass on the side of the track.
The Canadian was awarded a 10-second penalty for allegedly maneuvering that endangered other riders.
Vettel finished P9 in front of Pierre Gasly from the AlphaTauri team which completed the top ten.
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