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Formula 1
São Paulo GP
F1 Brazilian GP Live Commentary and Updates - FP2 and sprint
Minute-by-minute updates for the F1 Brazilian GP's FP2 and sprint race sessions
F1’s sprint race format returns at the penultimate round of the 2022 season, which is set to shake up the Brazilian GP at Interlagos.
Having wrapped up both F1 world titles already this season, Max Verstappen and Red Bull will look to take another clean sweep having won both sprint races earlier this season at Imola and the Red Bull Ring.
But Verstappen will need to beat shock polesitter Kevin Magnussen, who secured top spot in a wet qualifying, after Q3 was halted by a red flag caused by George Russell sliding off, before the weather worsened and denied any chance for improvements.
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Qualifying was a bit of a nightmare for Leclerc, who was the only driver to start the session on intermediate rubber as Ferrari split its strategy. It was clearly the wrong call, as everybody else set their banker laps on slicks, and the worsening rain which caught Russell out and caused the red flag scuppered his efforts at a representative time. Here's the full story on Leclerc's malaise: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/ferrari-explains-leclercs-inter-tyre-choice-mistake/10398397/
The timing screens inform us that there is a 10% risk of rain during the sprint. If it is going to disrupt today's proceedings, then it will have to come along soon.
We have air temperatures of 22.8 °C and track temperatures of 35.9 °C. How many will opt to go aggressive with the soft tyre?
The waiting is nearly over, as drivers are getting their helmets on and being strapped into their cars.
One unknown question going into this race is how aggressive Verstappen will be. Nobody wants to break a front wing going for a risky lunge that could compromise the grid positions for tomorrow, but with the championship sewn up will he be unshackled and go for it?
A touching moment between Haas boss Gunther Steiner and Magnussen's engineer Mark Slade, who remarks: "A long time since I've been here [at the front of the grid]". The Briton previously worked with Kimi Raikkonen at McLaren and Lotus.
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Nervy moments now for all concerned as we wait for the formation lap to begin.
While all the attention has been on Magnussen in the build up, spare a thought for his team-mate Mick Schumacher. The second Haas will be coming from 20th and last on the grid.
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Has Kevin Magnussen ever been in this much demand before a race? Perhaps not, but no doubt he'll be enjoying every minute.
So, on the all-important tyre front, it appears that only Verstappen and Latifi have gone conservative with the medium and that everybody else is starting on softs.
The mechanics leave their cars, and we're away for the formation lap.
Verstappen then is clearly playing the long game, but could his harder tyre choice cost him ground at the start?
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"Good luck Kev, have fun," our poleman is told over the radio as he leads the field around to the grid for the first time in his F1 career.
The cars are lining up on the grid, and we're moments away from the sprint race start. Who is your money on?
It's a perfect start for Magnussen, who bolts into the lead as Verstappen fends off an attack from Russell into Turn 1 to hold onto second.
Russell is pushing Verstappen hard for second as the Alpines appear to make contact on the start-finish straight. Has Alonso lost some of his front wing?
It's a good opening lap for Schumacher, he's up from last to 16th. Alonso has lost a bunch of positions and heads for the pits.
Lead change! Verstappen blasts up behind Magnussen and takes the Haas driver into Turn 1 at the start of lap three.
Russell knows his tyres won't have peak performance for as long as Verstappen and quickly follows past Magnussen into Turn 1 at the start of lap four, while Sainz uses DRS to take third on the inside of Turn 4.
"I lost the front wing, thanks to our friend," reports Alonso. Replays show he did indeed clip Ocon's right-rear tyre with his front wing, breaking the left-hand side. He'd earlier had a big slide at Turn 4 on lap one as he tried to go around the outside of the Frenchman and made slight contact as he gathered it up.
Alonso isn't finished yet. "He pushed me in Turn 4 and then finally in the straight. Well done," he says over the radio. He's stone cold last after a stop to replace his wing.
Norris had been fourth at the end of lap one after a move on Sainz at Turn 1 starting lap two, but the Ferrari man managed to duck back underneath him and now runs third. Norris also fell behind Hamilton, who has now cleared Magnussen and runs fourth.
Leclerc hasn't made huge progress from tenth on the grid. He gained one spot at Alonso's expense and also passed Ocon, who has slipped back to tenth.
Perez now moves ahead of Norris into Turn 1 for sixth, so will be the next one to attack Magnussen. He's fallen away from Hamilton ahead.
Russell is keeping up his pursuit of Verstappen, the gap 1.1s between them last time around after eight laps. But as his tyres wear faster, will Verstappen pull away?
The stewards have noted a starting procedure infringement involving Hamilton, Zhou and Ricciardo. We'll let you know more on that when we hear.
Crikey, Stroll is taking no prisoners today. He defends hard against Aston team-mate Vettel, who gets a good run on him exiting Turn 3, and pushes the four-time world champion right over to the grass verge. "Okay," is the German's response over the radio.
Vettel has now moved ahead of Stroll into 11th and is sizing up Ocon, who is holding up a train also comprising Stroll and Ricciardo.
Vettel gets the move on Ocon done into Turn 1 starting lap 11, as behind Ricciardo moves ahead of Stroll.
To the surprise of nobody, Stroll forcing Vettel off the track has been noted by the stewards.
Amid that excitement, Perez has passed Magnussen for fifth.
And at the front, there's a battle brewing! Russell gets alongside Verstappen into Turn 4, but can't cut ahead as the Red Bull brakes late on the inside.
Russell is right with Verstappen again into Turn 1 starting lap 13, but can't get the move done on the outside. He tries a switchback exiting Turn 5, but has to give best once more on the outside approaching the uphill Turn 6.
Alex Albon has pulled off in the Williams, bringing out the yellow flags.
Albon's stranded Williams is cleared, so the leaders are cleared to continue racing. Verstappen reports that he has hit some debris.
Hamilton is right with Sainz now. Could he pounce and take third?
Russell takes the lead!
On lap 15 the Mercedes driver gets a great run through the first complex after forcing Verstappen to take a defensive line into Turn 1, and this time is able to get far enough ahead on the run to Turn 4 to pull across in front of the Red Bull.
Sainz is having to defend hard now from Hamilton, but he's still closing up on Verstappen - whose gamble on medium tyres appears not to have paid off. Russell is quickly gapping the world champion out in front.
By: autosport.com
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