The third sprint race of the season has its verdict this Saturday in Brazil as it is the surprise winner George Russell driving his Mercedes. The former Williams driver in front Charles Sainz (Ferrari) and other Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton. As for poleman Kevin Magnussenit is saideighth place. Course favourite, Max Verstappen finished fourth.
On medium tires unlike its rivals, Verstappen he fails to overtake the Dane at the start and even has to counter Russell’s offensive. Patient, the Dutchman logically takes the lead after three laps. Magnussen then sees the two Mercedes e the Ferrari of Charles Sainz they also pass in front, as well as Red Bull’s Sergio Perez et Charles Leclerc. Behind, Fernando Alonso finds himself in last place after a collision with… his teammate at Alpine Esteban Or with.
Then comes a superb one thousand a one thousand in the middle Verstappen and an over-motivated Russell after his mistake in qualifying the day before. A duel finally won by the Briton overtook the Red Bull driver with just a few laps remaining to deliver Mercedes’ first sprint race success this year. Overtaken by Sainz, the Dutchman lost part of his wing in the adventure and Hamilton also saw himself pass in front.
If the sprint race offered eight points to first, seven to second and so on up to eighth, it also determined the starting grid for Sunday’s race. A 100% Mercedes front row as Sainz received a penalty after an engine change and will start seventh. A race to follow from 18:30 on RTBF media.
