Nov 15

Nov 15 George Russell takes first grand prix victory in triumphant Brazil weekend

George Russell has taken his first grand prix victory with a comfortable and controlled drive in Brazil.

George Russell celebrates on the podium in Brazil. *(LAT Images/Mercedes)*

Russell capitalised on his sprint race victory to hold the early lead and maintain the position throughout two safety car restarts.

As his challengers squabbled behind him, Russell kept his eyes forward and took the chequered flag in a proud moment for his motorsport career.

"What an amazing feeling," said Russell.

"A huge thank you to the whole team for making this possible."

"It's been an emotional rollercoaster, this season, this race."

The race was filled with incidents further down the field, beginning on lap one when Daniel Ricciardo clipped the rear of Kevin Magnussen's Haas and sent both drivers into the barriers.

The race restarted on lap six with Max Verstappen challenging Lewis Hamilton into turn one.

The pair made it through the left-handed turn one, but with Verstappen now level with Hamilton into the right-handed turn two, the pair collided and dropped back down through the field.

Verstappen was handed a five-second penalty for the incident, deemed to have caused the collision.

Moments later, Lando Norris hit Charles Leclerc in turn six, but the Ferrari driver was able to return to the track at the rear of the field.

Hamilton was able to recover and began a charge back through the field, making his way up to third behind George Russell and Carlos Sainz.

The scene was set for a final showdown when Land Norris stopped on the edge of the track on lap 52 after losing power.

The long safety car period ended on lap 59, with Russell leading ahead of Hamilton and Sergio Perez after a series of pit stops.

Russell was able to control the restart and hold off his teammate to take his first ever grand prix victory.

"I felt in control, Lewis was super-fast and then when I saw the safety car, I thought this is going to be a difficult end," said Russell.

"He put me under so much pressure."

"But I'm so happy to come away with the victory."

George Russell celebrates his first-ever grand prix victory in Sao Paulo. *(Jiri Krenek/Mercedes)*

Hamilton finished second followed by Carlos Sainz, after Perez struggled on medium tyres after the safety car and fell back down through the pack.

Controversy ensued after the race when Verstappen passed Perez to try and chase down Alonso, but did not follow team orders to return the position.

The decision by Verstappen to finish ahead of Perez puts him level with Leclerc on 290 points in the battle for runner-up in the World Drivers' Championship standings.

The hero of the grand prix was Russell, who followed up his first victory in the sprint race on Saturday with his first grand prix victory in the feature race on Sunday.

"On the in-lap, all of these memories came flooding back, starting off with my Mum and Dad in go Karting, going through and all the support I've had from the rest of my family, my girlfriend, my trainer, my manager," said Russell.

"The likes of Gwen, who first gave me the opportunity to get on the programme with Mercedes, and James Vowles and Toto"

"I can't thank everyone enough."

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2022 Formula 1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix - Results