yesterday 21:11
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Saturday’s VC Brazil sprint was dominated by George Russell. It is the first win of the season for the British F1 driver as well as for Mercedes. Russell also secured pole position going into Sunday’s main race. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz of Spain finished in second place and Russell’s British teammate Lewis Hamilton finished third.
Dane qualifying sensation winner Kevin Magnussen maintained the lead of the race until the third lap. He was later overtaken by a certain world champion, Max Verstappen, who was the only one of the top ten to start on the medium-hard tyres. This may have been an advantage for the Dutchman, as the life of the softer compound was estimated to be around 20 laps. However, the Red Bull driver started having problems on lap 12 when George Russell caught up with him.
The two battled hard until the 24-year-old Briton took the lead on lap 15 and was nearly four seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz at the line. The Spaniard overtook Verstappen on lap 19. In addition, the reigning world champion damaged his front wing in a fight with Sainz and was eventually pushed off the podium by Lewis Hamilton.
George Russell (Mercedes)
Source: Reuters
The most significant drop in the standings was recorded by Esteban Ocon of Alpin, who after starting from sixth position dropped to eighteenth place. Furthermore, the French driver collided with teammate Fernando Alonso on lap three, and fell to last place after a forced pit stop.
However, he finished fifteenth. Mick Schumacher had a winning race, starting from the rear of the grid and improving eight places by the finish line. Alex Albon in the Williams was the only one not to finish the race.
The main match of the Brazilian WC is scheduled for Sunday at 19:00 CET.
Sprint VC Brazil (24 laps):
1. George Russell (V.Brit./Mercedes)
2. Carlos Sainz (Sp./Ferrari) +3.995 s
3. Lewis Hamilton (V. Brit./Mercedes) +4.492 s
4. Max Verstappen (Hol./Red Bull) +10.494
5. Sergio Perez (Mexican/Red Bull) +11,855
6. Charles Leclerc +13.133
7. Lando Norris (UK/McLaren) +25.624
8. Kevin Magnussen (Denmark/Haas) +28.768
9. Sebastian Vettel (Nem./Aston Martin) +30.218
10. Pierre Gasly (Fr./Alpha Tauri) +34.170
11. Daniel Ricciardo (Aus./McLaren) +39.395
12. Mick Schumacher (Nem./Haas) +41.159
13. Kuan-yu Chou (China/Alfa Romeo) +41.763
14. Valteri Bottas (Fin./Alfa Romeo) +42.338
15. Fernando Alonso (Sp./Alpine) +48.985
16. Júki Kunoda (Japan/Alpha Tauri) +50.306
17. Lance Stroll (Kan./Aston Martin) +50,700
18. Esteban Ocon (Fr./Alpino) +51.756
19. Nicholas Latifi (Kan./Williams) +1.16.850
did not finish: Alex Albon (Thaj./V.Brit./Williams)
