Mercedes’ win-less streak is over. Technically. After 20 grands prix and three sprint races, George Russell did what he and Lewis Hamilton had previously failed to do all season – take the chequered flag first during a race session in 2022.
Crucially, Russell’s sprint race win was down to him being the quickest on the track. It was not won by default – a gift from Red Bull with a mechanical failure or a crash involving cars ahead. Russell passed surprise pole-winner Kevin Magnussen, then chased down Max Verstappen. After three attempts to get by, the lead was his, and with that soon followed the victory and pole position for today’s grand prix.For the first half of the sprint race, Verstappen appeared to have the race under control. He was the only driver, aside from Nicholas Latifi, to choose the medium tyre compound. Once he slipped by the Haas to take the lead, Red Bull could have expected the champion to keep a steady pace until the end for a comfortable win. That did not happen.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner explained the team’s choice was based on their doubts about the soft tyres, rather than being sold on the mediums.
“However, when we got there, we found we were suffering worse degradation than anticipated. To add to that, Mercedes had a quick car today and those two factors meant we couldn’t hold them off.”
Russell admitted the call to start on softs was not as obvious as it may have seemed. “I think it definitely wasn’t clear-cut,” he said in the press conference following yesterday’s race.
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However Russell suspects Verstappen’s sprint race strategy could have earned him an advantage for the grand prix.
The weird race weekend schedule caused by the sprint races mean second practice becomes more reflective of potential race pace than usual. Russell was quicker in that session than Verstappen, the Mercedes’ first push lap on softs quicker than the Red Bull’s. But what was telling was how their performance varied through the lap.
Naturally, Verstappen enjoyed a large top speed advantage over the Mercedes, even with both forgoing DRS. But Russell gained plenty of time back on the exits of corners, flooring the throttle earlier than the Red Bull did. If Russell has to defend from Verstappen in the grand prix, that seemingly superior traction could be crucial.
Even if Russell and Hamilton keep their one-two on the grid intact in the earlier laps, they will be wary of Verstappen holding an extra set of softs in reserve. Not least because of how much better the softer rubber appeared to perform in the sprint race.
“The advantage is we go into tomorrow’s race with an extra set,” Horner recognised after the sprint. “So what we gave up strategically today we get back tomorrow.
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“Mercedes will be quick, they will drive a tactical race and its two Red Bulls against two Mercedes with Ferrari thrown in. It sets up a fascinating grand prix.”
“I think as we saw in Mexico that we both did the same strategy and ultimately it affected us both,” Russell explained. “Sitting here right now, we probably don’t know what the right strategy is going to be.
“We’ll race each other fairly, for sure. And I’m sure we’ll probably be splitting the strategies tomorrow to try and cover all options – hopefully one of us comes away happy tomorrow. But I think we, we both recognise based on recent experience, we’re probably going to have to go two separate ways.”
With Hamilton lining up alongside his team mate on the front row, Mercedes hold the advantage. That begs the question whether Mercedes will enforce team orders to maximise their hopes of winning.
“There definitely won’t be any team orders,” pole winner Russell insisted. “But I think between the two of us we will definitely be strategic to try and get that win for the team.”
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For the first time, Hamilton is staring down a win-less season in his Formula 1 career. But, tellingly, his focus appears to be on a Mercedes victory regardless of whether it’s him or his team mate who takes it.
“George has done an amazing job this year and he’ll be pushing for that win – but we’ll, of course, drive carefully and clean. We’ve just always got to just have at the front of our mind, it’s the team – Getting the result for the team. But of course, individually, we’ll do our best to try and get the best result.”
Should Mercedes race pace be maintained over the 71 laps of the grand prix, Verstappen knows he could have a genuine fight on his hands. Despite his tactical advantage of a second set of fresh softs.
“Even on the softs, we wouldn’t have been fast enough,” Verstappen explained. “We were clearly struggling on keeping the tyres alive, so this is something we need to try and fix for tomorrow. Even though there’s not a lot you can do. But it can’t get worse than this.”
Having won 14 races this season, Verstappen has every reason for confidence. And yet, it seems this is the first time all year he may genuinely have find a way to overcome two Mercedes to reach the chequered flag first.
“At the moment, they look unbeatable,” Verstappen conceded.
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Qualifying times in full
Position | Number | Driver | Team | Q1 time | Q2 time (vs Q1) | Q3 time (vs Q2) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 20 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas-Ferrari | 1’13.954 | 1’11.410 (-2.544s) | 1’11.674 (+0.264s) |
2 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1’13.625 | 1’10.881 (-2.744s) | 1’11.877 (+0.996s) |
3 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1’14.427 | 1’11.318 (-3.109s) | 1’12.059 (+0.741s) |
4 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren-Mercedes | 1’13.106 | 1’11.377 (-1.729s) | 1’12.263 (+0.886s) |
5 | 55 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | Ferrari | 1’14.680 | 1’10.890 (-3.790s) | 1’12.357 (+1.467s) |
6 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine-Renault | 1’14.663 | 1’11.587 (-3.076s) | 1’12.425 (+0.838s) |
7 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Alpine-Renault | 1’13.542 | 1’11.394 (-2.148s) | 1’12.504 (+1.110s) |
8 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1’13.403 | 1’11.539 (-1.864s) | 1’12.611 (+1.072s) |
9 | 11 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | 1’13.613 | 1’11.456 (-2.157s) | 1’15.601 (+4.145s) |
10 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1’14.486 | 1’10.950 (-3.536s) | |
11 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams-Mercedes | 1’14.324 | 1’11.631 (-2.693s) | Missed by 0.044s |
12 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri-Red Bull | 1’14.371 | 1’11.675 (-2.696s) | Missed by 0.088s |
13 | 5 | Sebastian Vettel | Aston Martin-Mercedes | 1’13.597 | 1’11.678 (-1.919s) | Missed by 0.091s |
14 | 3 | Daniel Ricciardo | McLaren-Mercedes | 1’14.931 | 1’12.140 (-2.791s) | Missed by 0.553s |
15 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin-Mercedes | 1’14.398 | 1’12.210 (-2.188s) | Missed by 0.623s |
16 | 6 | Nicholas Latifi | Williams-Mercedes | 1’15.095 | Missed by 0.164s | |
17 | 24 | Zhou Guanyu | Alfa Romeo-Ferrari | 1’15.197 | Missed by 0.266s | |
18 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo-Ferrari | 1’15.486 | Missed by 0.555s | |
19 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri-Red Bull | 1’16.264 | Missed by 1.333s | |
20 | 47 | Mick Schumacher | Haas-Ferrari | 1’16.361 | Missed by 1.430s |
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Qualifying sector times
Position | Number | Driver | Sector one | Sector two | Sector three | Ultimate lap | Deficit to ultimate lap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Max Verstappen | 18.093 (2) | 35.772 (2) | 16.856 (2) | 1’10.721 | 0.160 |
2 | 55 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | 18.087 (1) | 35.787 (3) | 17.016 (10) | 1’10.890 | – |
3 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | 18.334 (13) | 35.591 (1) | 16.978 (8) | 1’10.903 | 0.047 |
4 | 63 | George Russell | 18.194 (4) | 36.092 (5) | 16.933 (4) | 1’11.219 | 0.099 |
5 | 20 | Kevin Magnussen | 18.131 (3) | 36.152 (8) | 16.974 (7) | 1’11.257 | 0.153 |
6 | 4 | Lando Norris | 18.208 (5) | 36.066 (4) | 17.013 (9) | 1’11.287 | 0.090 |
7 | 23 | Alexander Albon | 18.256 (9) | 36.316 (11) | 16.785 (1) | 1’11.357 | 0.274 |
8 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | 18.224 (8) | 36.136 (7) | 17.034 (11) | 1’11.394 | – |
9 | 11 | Sergio Perez | 18.222 (7) | 36.255 (10) | 16.938 (5) | 1’11.415 | 0.041 |
10 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | 18.304 (12) | 36.173 (9) | 16.957 (6) | 1’11.434 | 0.105 |
11 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | 18.265 (10) | 36.1 (6) | 17.093 (13) | 1’11.458 | 0.129 |
12 | 5 | Sebastian Vettel | 18.212 (6) | 36.318 (12) | 17.083 (12) | 1’11.613 | 0.065 |
13 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | 18.281 (11) | 36.505 (14) | 16.863 (3) | 1’11.649 | 0.026 |
14 | 18 | Lance Stroll | 18.353 (14) | 36.45 (13) | 17.213 (15) | 1’12.016 | 0.194 |
15 | 3 | Daniel Ricciardo | 18.388 (15) | 36.607 (15) | 17.145 (14) | 1’12.140 | – |
16 | 6 | Nicholas Latifi | 18.915 (16) | 38.45 (17) | 17.73 (17) | 1’15.095 | – |
17 | 24 | Zhou Guanyu | 19.43 (20) | 38.004 (16) | 17.763 (18) | 1’15.197 | – |
18 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | 19.029 (17) | 38.574 (18) | 17.883 (19) | 1’15.486 | – |
19 | 47 | Mick Schumacher | 19.272 (18) | 38.906 (19) | 18.055 (20) | 1’16.233 | 0.128 |
20 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | 19.316 (19) | 39.221 (20) | 17.727 (16) | 1’16.264 | – |
Qualifying speed trap
Position | Number | Driver | Car | Engine | Model | Max kph (mph) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 11 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | Red Bull | RB18 | 334.5 (207.8) |
2 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Red Bull | RB18 | 331.3 (205.9) |
3 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri | Red Bull | AT03 | 329.6 (204.8) |
4 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams | Mercedes | FW44 | 327.9 (203.7) |
5 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Alpine | Renault | A522 | 327.5 (203.5) |
6 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | Renault | A522 | 327.3 (203.4) |
7 | 3 | Daniel Ricciardo | McLaren | Mercedes | MCL36 | 326.8 (203.1) |
8 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren | Mercedes | MCL36 | 326.6 (202.9) |
9 | 5 | Sebastian Vettel | Aston Martin | Mercedes | AMR22 | 325.2 (202.1) |
10 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | Ferrari | F1-75 | 325 (201.9) |
11 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes | W13 | 325 (201.9) |
12 | 20 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | Ferrari | VF-22 | 324.4 (201.6) |
13 | 55 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | Ferrari | Ferrari | F1-75 | 322 (200.1) |
14 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | Mercedes | AMR22 | 321.7 (199.9) |
15 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | Mercedes | W13 | 320.8 (199.3) |
16 | 6 | Nicholas Latifi | Williams | Mercedes | FW44 | 308 (191.4) |
17 | 47 | Mick Schumacher | Haas | Ferrari | VF-22 | 301.5 (187.3) |
18 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo | Ferrari | C42 | 300.9 (187.0) |
19 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri | Red Bull | AT03 | 300.6 (186.8) |
20 | 24 | Zhou Guanyu | Alfa Romeo | Ferrari | C42 | 295.2 (183.4) |
Over to you
Are Mercedes finally quick enough to claim their first grand prix victory of 2022? What role will Ferrari play in the fight at the front?
Share your views on the Brazilian Grand Prix in the comments.
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2022 Brazilian Grand Prix
- Ferrari’s season of missed chances led to “difficult” criticism for Binotto
- How many victory chances did Hamilton have in his first winless F1 season?
- Red Bull “never envisaged” Brazil team orders situation – Horner
- Red Bull “accept Max’s reasoning” over radio row and condemn online abuse
- Russell’s first grand prix victory means F1 has a dozen winners – for one race only
Jere (@jerejj)
13th November 2022, 13:30
Are Mercedes finally quick enough to claim their first grand prix victory of 2022? – I doubt this, but we’ll see.
What role will Ferrari play in the fight at the front? – Nothing.
trib4udi (@trib4udi)
13th November 2022, 16:56
Perez on same tires as Lewis had a 0.3s pace deficit.
Max is better than Perez but Merc looks like the strongest car.
trib4udi (@trib4udi)
13th November 2022, 20:01
Told you :-)
Ajaxn
13th November 2022, 17:08
With Russell taking the sprint win, Mercedes could make a call favoring Hamilton for the race win. eg one win a piece.
BlueChris (@bluechris)
13th November 2022, 13:41
I didn’t saw an unbeatable Mercedes yesterday. I wish they will win for the change but never this far RB did the same mistakes twice.
Ajaxn
13th November 2022, 17:14
This will be the first time Mercedes start with a clear track ahead of them. If they get good start and don’t waste time fighting each other for position they could drive long on their softs with less degradation, eg just drive clean. The others pressing for position would then use up their tires quicker, which would play into Mercedes’s hands. Up to now either Ferrari or Redbull has dictated the pace from in front. Let’s see if Mercedes can get this right.
BLS (@brightlampshade)
13th November 2022, 14:01
Verstappen looked to have picked up damage yesterday as his pace suddenly went nowhere. Will be interesting to see how it plays out today, I’m still fairly confident of a Max win though.
Khalid (@leblep)
13th November 2022, 14:24
Does anybody know a source where I can see exactly which tyres each driver has left, including the age of each of those tyres?
BLS (@brightlampshade)
13th November 2022, 14:49
Not sure of used, but Max has 3 new Mediums and 2 new Softs, compared to the Mercs that have 2xM and 1xS.
Andy (@andyfromsandy)
13th November 2022, 16:26
On the formula1.com website, Strategy Guide feature.
Andy (@andyfromsandy)
13th November 2022, 16:26
@leblep On the formula1.com website, Strategy Guide feature.
David BR (@david-br)
13th November 2022, 15:52
Hamilton’s practice 2 times on the soft tyre were far better – and over a longer period – than Verstappen’s, which was presumably the real reason for the switch. Mercedes matched/bettered him on medium tyres in the sprint. I don’t see how Verstappen has much real advantage, it should be a Mercedes win finally. However Mercedes and optimal strategy haven’t really been talking to each other much this season…
Andy (@andyfromsandy)
13th November 2022, 16:24
Have ORBR made a setup mistake that is affecting tyre wear? Based on previous races showing how well the car goes plus how overtaking isn’t such a problem, it might have been an interesting gamble to change the setup and start from the pitlane.