George Russel ends drought for Mercedes by winning São Paulo GP

George Russell captured his first Formula One race victory on November 14 in Brazil, holding off his teammate and a pair of Ferraris to cross the finish line first in the São Paulo Grand Prix.

The win marked not only the first of the 24-year-old’s young career but the first for Mercedes in what’s been a disappointing season for the perennial juggernaut. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton came in just behind Russell, making for an impressive 1–2 finish for the team, according to Sports Illustrated.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz rounded out the podium at Interlagos. His teammate Charles Leclerc overcame an earlier trip into the barrier after contact from McLaren’s Lando Norris to finish in fourth.

However, the story of the day was Russell, who dominated throughout the afternoon in São Paulo. The former Williams driver, in his first season with Mercedes, led for much of the race after starting on the pole, a position he earned after winning the sprint race on November 12.

Coming into the penultimate race of the year on November 14, Russell recorded seven podium finishes in 2022. The result in Brazil increased his season point total to 265, firmly in fourth place in the drivers’ standings with one race remaining.