GEORGE RUSSELL will start today’s (SUN) 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.
Carlos Sainz was second ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who was last night 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.
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.”
