SAO PAULO (AP) — Mercedes Formula 1 had a memorable day at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday.
Alpine had a day to forget.
Mercedes driving force George Russell will start Sunday’s race in pole position after winning the speed race at Interlagos, with teammate Lewis Hamilton also on the front row, while Alpine’s driving forces Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon fought out prominently on the track.
“It’s crazy to think we started in the front row,” Russell said. “We are in a luxury position where we can divide the strategy and aim for victory. “
Seven-time champion Hamilton, who will compete for the first time as an honorary citizen of Brazil, is also excited about the 1-2 start.
“It’s an incredible result. So, from there, we deserve to be able to paint as a team and keep the guys behind,” Hamilton said.
Max Verstappen will start in third position. He and his Red Bull team have already been crowned F1 champions.
Alonso will start again in 15th position and hid his anger with Ocon after being ruled out.
“I just lost the front wing. Thanks to our friend,” Alonso said on team radio. “He took me to turn four and despite everything to the straight. Well done. “
Alonso then had more to say about surprise, more.
“Last year we saw this many times. This year, he almost took me against the wall in Saudi Arabia, Hungary. Now here,” said the two-time F1 champion. “I’m already laughing about it. “
Alonso, 41, is counting the races.
“It’s one more race and then it’s over,” said Alonso, who will compete next season for Aston Martin.
Ocon, who ruled the afternoon loose practice, will start 18th. Both drivers are being investigated lately by the race stewards.
“Being 15 and 18, it’s a lot of fun,” Alonso said. That’s what happens when we’re around. “
Ocon said it’s “not like you like to finish a race” and gave his edit of the fight.
“We want to paint together. Alonso came here from outside and I touched him,” the Frenchman said. Asked about Alonso’s comment, he replied: “It’s his opinion, my opinion is different. “
One day for Alpine, Ocon’s car got stuck during weigh-in
“The total framework is pretty damaged, I don’t know what the consequences will be,” Ocon said.
Sebastian Vettel, who will retire at the end of the season, has been more restrained in his reactions after Aston Martin teammate Lance Stroll closed the gap aggressively.
“Okay,” the German driving force told the team’s radio. Minutes later, race organizers imposed a 10-second penalty on Stroll for a damaging maneuver. Vettel finished ninth, Stroll starting from 17th place.
“I think today, in the end, we may have done better,” Vettel told Sky Sports. “The two of us. “
Hamilton finished third but will have the merit of a five-place penalty for Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who finished on the spot on Saturday. Sainz added a new internal combustion engine for the weekend, with a sixth of the season in a penalty.
Sainz’s overtaking of Verstappen included his right rear tyre touching the Dutchman’s front wing. Ferrari’s driving force agreed it was “on the edge” but said it was a fair decision. The incident was not investigated by the stewards.
“I’m sorry if I had a little bit of contact, but it’s a race and you have to pass if you need it to stick,” Sainz said.
Haas engine Kevin Magnussen, who took pole on Saturday after dominating qualifying on Friday, finished eighth. He led the fast race for a single lap.
The Brazilian GP is the penultimate race of the season in Abu Dhabi on November 20.
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