Sau Paulo – the only place to host a Sprint Race in both season since its introduction, and it was worth it. After the potential seen in 2021, the more of a mixed – up grid that formed in the Qualifying session in 2022, and the fact that there were about 4 – 5 drivers right at the front and a bunch in P10 – P16 positions who were able to jostle for positions and be a part of the smooth flow of the Interlagos circuit, meant that no driver maintain position and either lost or gained at least 2 places over the course of a total of 24 laps or a 100 kilometres approx.
Magnussen started from pole position and had gotten the chance to perform a practice start from that grid spot at the end of the second Free Practice session. He was on the Soft tyre compound as were all other drivers except Verstappen in P2 and Latifi down the grid. Magnussen and Russell got comparatively much better launches than Verstappen off their grid spots but it was Magnussen who actually was able to keep his line into the first set of corners and pull a bit of a gap, as Russell was defended by Verstappen who cut in to get the line and then was able to stay ahead. Russell tried an overtake almost at every corner through the first 1 and a half laps trying to go on the inside and then switch to the outside as Verstappen defended.
By the end of Lap 2 the gap between Verstappen and Magnussen had decreased and that was that for Haas leading 2 laps. Russell was close and soon got through as well. By this time, there were moves down the grid as well with Hamilton making up places and Sainz also coming in behind Russell after a decent start where he fought off Hamilton. Further down, the likes of Schumacher were getting in the action as Albon struggled and lost places from P11 on the grid which he at first thought was a bit “higher” than expected starting position for himself.
By about Lap 7 and 8, Russell who had been keeping pace with Verstappen had entered into the DRS range, i.e. within one second and would get DRS to make the overtake. Russell tried dummies and everything but was unable to make the move before the gap built again, Russell charged again and Verstappen also lost significant laptime with contact with some debris playing a potential role in the same. Russell did not have the one master move but kept trying and eventually got the outside line as Verstappen defended into Turn1, which gave Russell a better exit in a better car slightly, and then he slipstreamed with DRS on the second straight and got that first position on Lap 15, by when Sainz had also come within 2 seconds of them and was defending from Hamilton.
Both drivers chose to first pass Verstappen now, who was losing time, and then battle it out. Sainz had made brilliant lunges before going into Turn 1 and made a lunge this time as well but the rear hit Verstappen’s front wing endplate which suffered damage which made it worse for Verstappen. Hamilton then had to get past Sainz but there weren’t enough laps left and even though HAM finished P3, it will be a front – row start for him alongside his teammate as Sainz will serve the 5 Place Grid Penalty for a new ICE unit, similar to the one served by HAM last time around.
Pace wise, Leclerc and Perez both were a part of the lead pack especially in the second half of the race but especially Leclerc was really off the lead pack pace that includes Hamilton as well, by quite some margin. He did get on the times in the second half of the race but it was too late to gain him a position on Perez to start with. This also meant that RBR seal off the second row at the start of the main race.
spielens 