By Alan Baldwin
George Russell took an emotional first Formula 1 grand prix victory in Brazil, ending a season-long blank for Mercedes in a one-two with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in Brazil.
Russell led from the start at Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit on Monday (AEDT) after winning Sunday’s 100-kilometre sprint, a race that determined Sunday’s starting grid, to halt a run of nine wins in a row by champions Red Bull.
George Russell celebrates on the podium.Credit:Getty Images
“This is just the beginning,” Russell shouted over the team radio after being told he was a Formula 1 winner, the 113th in the history of the sport.
“I knew we could do this. I might need some tissues – I’m crying.”
Hamilton, winner of a record 103 races and three in Brazil, congratulated his teammate for an “amazing drive”.
“He did an amazing qualifying yesterday, so he truly deserves it … this is an incredible result,” said the 37-year-old.
In a lively race with two safety car periods, honorary Brazilian Hamilton overcame an early collision with Red Bull’s double world champion Max Verstappen to race back in front of a cheering crowd.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz finished third, with teammate Charles Leclerc fourth and unhappy that Ferrari did not order a switch given his battle with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez for second in the championship.
Verstappen, who won his second title with four races to spare, helped Leclerc out by refusing to give back sixth place to Perez – who had earlier let him through – despite the team asking him to if he could not pass Alpine’s Fernando Alonso.
Verstappen was told by his engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to let Perez through at the finish but ignored it and took sixth, with Perez seventh.
“Max, what happened?,” asked Lambiase.
Max Verstappen leads Sergio Perez in Brazil.Credit:Getty Images
“I told you already last time, you guys don’t ask that again to me, OK?” replied Verstappen. “Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons and I stand by it.”
Perez said over team radio that Verstappen had showed “who he really is”.
Perez and Leclerc are now tied on 290 points, with Leclerc ahead 3-2 on race wins. The Monegasque was also not helped by Ferrari allowing Carlos Sainz to finish ahead of him.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner apologised to Perez: “I’m sorry for that, ‘Checo’,” he said.
Perez, who has been praised in the past by Verstappen for playing a supportive role, later expanded on his comment to Sky Sports television: “I was told to let him by, that I was going to get back the position,” he said.
“Maybe you should ask him about it … after all I’ve done for him, it’s a bit disappointing to be honest. I am really surprised.”
Verstappen said he understood why Perez was upset. He said the matter had been discussed and he explained his actions.
“We have to move forwards. We go to [the final race in] Abu Dhabi, they are tied on points and if he needs the help there to finish ahead of Charles then I will help him.”
Horner would not give details of the team talks but said the focus for Abu Dhabi was to ensure Perez took second place overall.
“They are tied on points and whatever we can do as a team… we will do to help Checo achieve that goal,” he said.
COLLISIONS
Russell led away cleanly from the start, with Hamilton slotting in behind, but the safety car was deployed when McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo and Haas’ Kevin Magnussen collided on the opening lap.
Magnussen, who took his first pole position in qualifying and scored a point in the sprint, was hit from behind by the McLaren and smashed back into it after spinning around.
Verstappen and Hamilton then made contact at the restart on lap seven as they fought for second place, with the pair dropping to eighth and ninth respectively.
Race stewards decided the Red Bull driver was the offending party and handed him a five-second penalty for causing the collision.
“Where did they expect me to go?” Verstappen said when informed by his team over the radio. “He just closed the door on me.”
McLaren’s Lando Norris also collected a five-second penalty for causing a collision when he tangled with Leclerc, who was sent spinning into the tyre wall but was able to keep going.
Hamilton’s car was undamaged in the incident with Verstappen and he was third by lap 18.
The Briton took the lead on lap 25 when Russell made his first pit stop and stayed there until the end of 29 when he came in to switch from soft to medium tyres, returning in fourth place.
Verstappen was running in 15th place at the half distance after two pit stops in which he had a new front wing, served his penalty and suffered a further delay with a slow rear tyre change.
There was late drama when the virtual safety car was deployed on lap 53 after Norris stopped on track, and it then became a full safety car.
“So what are we doing?,” Russell asked over the radio as the field bunched up again with Hamilton right behind. “Are we racing or are we securing the one-two?”
“You are racing, just be respectful,” came the reply from the pit wall.
Russell then managed the restart well and pulled away from Hamilton to take the chequered flag waved by Brazil’s retired double world champion Emerson Fittipaldi.
Reuters
