Motorsport

GEORGE RUSSELL choked back the tears after winning his first F1 GP – denying Lewis Hamilton what would have been a dream victory in Brazil.Take nothing away from the 24-year-old from King’s Lynn, he was coolness personified in Sao Paulo to take the chequered flag.
An emotional George Russell reflected on his victory after the raceCredit: AFP
The 24-year-old almost had his first victory two years earlier when he stood in for a Covid-struck Hamilton at the 2020 Sakhir Grand PrixCredit: Reuters
George Russell came under pressure from his teammate Lewis Hamilton in the closing stagesCredit: Rex
Russell, who had won the 24-lap sprint race the previous day, converted his pole to victory, while Hamilton was second after banging wheel with bitter rival Max Verstappen.
Russell said: “What an amazing feeling. A huge thank you to the whole team for making it possible. It was an emotional roller coaster.
“I felt in control but Lewis was super fast and I was under so much pressure, I am so happy to come away with the victory.
“I am speechless. On the in-lap all these memories came flooding back from when I started out karting with my mum and dad in karting…I am so proud.”
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Hamilton, who was made an honorary citizen of Brazil, was quick to praise his Mercedes teammate, but stopped short of commenting on his incident with Verstappen.
He added: “Congrats to George, what an amazing drive. He had an amazing race on Saturday and fully deserved it.
“To my team, so proud of everyone back at the factory and here. This is an incredible result.
“We’ve worked so hard through this year to get a 1-2 and to get a win, and so this is hugely deserved by everybody so a huge thank you.”What can I say, you know how it is with Max…”
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It was a thrilling race and saw another clash between Verstappen and Hamilton, who banged wheels – with the Dutchman slapped with a five second penalty for causing the collision.
The flashpoint happened after Daniel Ricciardo drove into the back of Kevin Magnussen. The Dane was sent into a spin and clattered back into the Aussie.
The safety car was deployed while the marshals recovered the stricken cars and when the racing resumed, Russell made the perfect getaway.
But that was not the case for Hamilton, who was caught by Verstappen at turn one, with the two clashing, banging wheel and Hamilton being forced onto the escape road.
Verstappen was forced to pit for a new nose and front wing while Hamilton continued but with a chunk of damage to his car.
There was then another collision on lap seven as Lando Norris made contact with Charles Leclerc, sending the Ferrari man into the barriers.
While out in front, Russell remained unchallenged as he was able to hold off the threat of Sergio Perez, despite a quicker pitstop by the Red Bull team.
Hamilton was the last to stop of the front runners on lap 30 for a set of slower medium tyres, but that did not stop him hunting down Sainz in third place.
Mercedes’ 1-2 brought to an end a season’s worth of strugglesCredit: EPA
When the Spaniard made his second stop of the race, that promoted Hamilton into third. Hamilton made it into second with a textbook over take of Perez into turn one on lap 45.
But another safety car threw another element into this pulsating contest when Norris’s McLaren conked out on lap 52.
Russell sent an inquisitive message to his team asking what the plan was for the restart in the hope of hearing that Hamilton would be told to hold station.

But he received the news he must have been dreading – that the two would be racing for the win to the finishing line.
When the safety car came in and the racing resumed on lap 60, Russell was able to hold off the threat of Hamilton.
And he made it to the finishing line with Hamilton placed in second – despite running down in 10th place after his clash with Verstappen.
Sainz was third in his Ferrari while Leclerc was fourth, despite his best efforts to get ahead of his teammate.
But Verstappen DEFIED Red Bull’s request to swap places with Perez, to boost the Mexican’s chances of finishing runner-up in the drivers’ championship.
When asked why he IGNORED the team, Verstappen snapped back and said: “I told you already last time.
“You guys don’t ask that again to me, OK? Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons and I stand by it.” More

GEORGE RUSSELL won his first F1 GP – denying Lewis Hamilton what would have been a dream victory in Brazil.But take nothing away from the 24-year-old from King’s Lynn, he was coolness personified in Sao Paulo to take the chequered flag.
George Russell registered his first ever F1 race win in BrazilCredit: AFP
Lewis Hamilton came second for a Mercedes one-twoCredit: AFP
Russell and Hamilton embraced after the raceCredit: Getty
Russell looked emotional after his first ever winCredit: Getty
Russell, who had won the 24-lap sprint race the previous day, converted his pole to victory, while Hamilton was second after banging wheels with bitter rival Max Verstappen.
It was a thrilling race from the start as Verstappen and Hamilton clashed, with the Dutchman slapped with a five second penalty for causing the collision.
The flashpoint happened after Daniel Ricciardo drove into the back of Kevin Magnussen.
The Dane was sent into a spin and clattered back into the Aussie.
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The safety car was deployed while the marshals recovered the stricken cars and when the racing resumed, Russell made the perfect getaway.
But that was not the case for Hamilton, who was caught by Verstappen at turn one, with the two clashing, banging wheel and Hamilton being forced onto the escape road.
Verstappen was forced to pit for a new nose and front wing while Hamilton continued but with a chunk of damage to his car.
Verstappen was hit with a time penalty and radioed his team saying: “Where did they expect me to go? He just closed the door on me…It doesn’t matter.”
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There was then another collision on lap seven as Lando Norris made contact with Charles Leclerc, sending the Ferrari man into the barriers.
Out in front, Russell remained unchallenged as he was able to hold off the threat of Sergio Perez, despite a quicker pitstop by the Red Bull team.
Hamilton was the last to stop of the front runners on lap 30 for a set of slower medium tyres, but that did not stop him hunting down Sainz in third place.
When the Spaniard made his second stop of the race, that promoted Hamilton into third place.
Hamilton made it into second with a textbook over take of Perez into turn one on lap 45.
But he was called in for a pitstop on lap 49 – despite his insistence that his tyres were all good.
Unhappy Hamilton was overruled by his team and he did indeed pit for soft tyres on lap 49 while Russell pitted a lap later.
Sainz also pitted to make it a Mercedes one-two before a safety car threw another element into this pulsating contest when Norris’s McLaren conked out on lap 52.
Russell sent an inquisitive message to his team asking what the plan was for the restart in the hope of hearing that Hamilton would be told to hold station.
But he received the news he must have been dreading – that the two would be racing for the win to the finishing line.
When the safety car came in and the racing resumed on lap 60, Russell was able to hold off the threat of Hamilton.
And he made it to the finishing line with Hamilton placed in second – despite running down in 10th place after his clash with Verstappen.
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Sainz was third in his Ferrari while Leclerc was fourth, despite his best efforts to get ahead of his teammate.
But Verstappen DEFIED his team’s request to swap places with Perez, to boost the Mexican’s chances of finishing runner-up in the drivers’ championship.
There was drama when Max Verstappen and Hamilton collidedCredit: Splash More

LEWIS HAMILTON and Max Verstappen were involved in ANOTHER crash at the Brazilian Grand Prix that left the Brit fuming after a chaotic start.The race had just restarted following a crash between Daniel Ricciardio and Kevin Magnussen when the incident occurred.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were involved in a collision at the Brazilian GPCredit: Getty
Daniel Ricciardo’s horror season also continued in a chaotic start in BrazilCredit: AFP
The green flag was waved as Mercedes’ George Russell flew off to stay in the lead.
Verstappen made the jump on Hamilton but the pair touched.
Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc then touched too, forcing the latter off the track, only for him to get his Ferrari back on.
Both Verstappen for a new front wing, and Leclerc hit the pits for a quick repair job.
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Reigning champ Verstappen told the team radio: “”He left me no space.”
But the raging Hamilton was heard saying: “That was no racing incident mate.”
Reigning champ Verstappen told the team radio: “”He left me no space.”
But the raging Hamilton was heard saying: “That was no racing incident mate.”
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Fortunately for Hamilton, his car emerged unscathed from the collision. 
He was heard asking: “How much of my floor is missing mate?”
With an engineer replying: “From what we can see, it doesn’t look massive on tv pictures. Pace does look good though.”
Both Red Bull’s Verstappen and Norris were given five-second time penalties for causing their respective collisions.
Meanwhile, Ricciardo’s horror season continued after he crashed out out of the Brazilian Grand Prix on the second lap.
The Australian F1 ace was bought out of the last year of his contract for £10million by McLaren and will leave the team at the end of the year.
Ricciardo is not ready to call it quits just yet, despite his disappointing campaign.
However, he has endured more misery this evening just seconds after the start.
He and Kevin Magnussen were involved in a high-speed collision on the second lap in Sao Paulo.
Ricciardo was trying to make his way up the order and thought that he had spied a gap.
But Haas star Kevin Magnussen was right in his path as their motors went smashing into each other to bring the race to a halt.
The safety car was called on as both drivers were forced out of the race.
Fortunately both men appeared to be unscathed and soon got back into their cars to be ferried back to the pits.
It will be a devastating blow too for Magnussen after he claimed a thrilling pole on Friday during qualifying. 
Around 60,000 fans are in attendance to see whether Lewis Hamilton can secure his first victory of the season in South America.
You can follow all of the action from the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace (Interlagos) in Sao Paulo with Sun Sport’s live blog. More

LEWIS HAMILTON will wear a Brazilian-inspired helmet in Sao Paulo in his second “home” Grand Prix of the season.The legendary British Formula One star is still searching for his first win of the campaign.
Lewis Hamilton will wear a Brazilian-themed helmet tonightCredit: Avalon.red
The British star will don it after receiving a British citizenshipCredit: Rex
But he has secured second spot on the starting grid.
And Hamilton will be confident that he can put this torrid run to an end in Brazil on the very same track where he came back from 10th to grab first place.
Furthermore, the seven-time champion has more of an incentive to win after officially receiving a Brazilian citizenship ahead of the weekend.
Now he has decided to celebrate that by wearing a special helmet this weekend to honour his “second homeland”.
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The 37-year-old posed with it earlier this week after it was unveiled.
The helmet has the Brazilian flag donned along the outside of it with the colours of yellow, green and blue dominating it.
Hamilton has become a beloved figure by Brazilian fans throughout his years of dominance in F1.
And he has also spoken numerous times of how much he idolised the late, great Brazil icon Ayrton Senna.
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The Brazil GP will start around 6pm on Sunday, UK time.
Around 60,000 fans will be in attendance to see whether Hamilton can secure his first victory of the season.
You can follow all of the action from the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace (Interlagos) in Sao Paulo with Sun Sport’s live blog. More

GEORGE RUSSELL will start Sunday’s Sao Paulo GP on pole after winning a thrilling sprint race.The Mercedes man, who is yet to win a GP, took the chequered flag in the short 24 lap race that decides the grid for the main race.
George Russell will start the Brazil Grand Pix in pole position.Credit: Getty
Carlos Sainz was second ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who is waiting for an investigation from the stewards for an infringement at the start.
Meanwhile, world champion Max Verstappen had a shocker and was beaten by Russell on pace – and clipped by Sainz causing front wing damage, which dropped him to fourth.
Kevin Magnussen, who took an unlikely pole position the previous day in his Haas when he benefited from a rain shower, made a good start but was soon reeled in by the quicker cars.
The Dane was eventually passed by Verstappen on the third lap while Alpine teammates Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso made contact, leaving the Spaniard furious.
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Russell moved up to second place behind Verstappen on lap four and set about catching the Dutchman.
The Mercedes man made his move to pass Verstappen as the two kept it clean.
The same could not be said when Sainz hit Verstappen on the way through on his way to second, while Hamilton also passed the Red Bull man five laps from the end.
It was a good performance from Russell, who earned the praise from his teammate, who is poised for a front-row start.
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After winning the sprint race, Russell said: “It was incredible. I was not expecting that much pace and shows all the progress we are making.
“This is a sprint race and you have to manage risk/reward. I didn’t want to risk it too much and end up with no points.
“It is crazy to think we are starting on the front row. Lewis did a great job from P8 and we are in a position switch strategy and go for the win.”
Sainz has a five-place grid drop for an engine penalty which means that Hamilton could start in second place, so long as he escapes a penalty from the stewards.
Hamilton was happy to see his teammate as he said: “It has been an incredible week. It was a difficult day starting from eight and make my way through.
“Congrats to George and this goes back to the factory and all the hard world. To be on the front row is incredible and hopefully we can work as a team and hold off the guys behind.
“We are going to try as hard as we can and I hope for good weather and I have fight on my hands, but a win here would be incredible.” More