Unexpected results in Brazil

The Brazilian Grand Prix was a weekend with some unexpected results. It was Kevin Magnussen with his first pole position ever and with George Russell's win yesterday, making it Mercedes' first win since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Magnussen’ first pole position

The qualifying for the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix started with a drying track. Before Q1 started it had rained at the circuit in São Paulo, but the drivers could start on slicks. The track was getting faster and faster by the lap, so it was staying out and driving as many laps as possible. Kevin Magnussen showed from the beginning some great speed in qualifying. Reaching P7 in both Q1 and Q2, while his teammate Mick Schumacher finished P20 in Q1.

Q3 started with new rain expected within the session, most cars aligned at the end of the pitlane before the lights went green. Kevin Magnussen positioned his car as the first one, so he was the first one setting a time. Max Verstappen was right behind him, but due to a big lockup he wasn’t able to improve the time set by Magnussen. When Russel caused a red flag, while it was starting to rain again it was impossible to challenge the time from Kevin. The Danish driver scored his first pole position and also the first pole position for Haas.

Third different sprint race winner ever

While Kevin Magnussen could start the last sprint race of the year from first position, many knew it would be difficult for him to keep his position during the sprint race. Max Verstappen, starting from second place, would quickly overtake Magnussen but couldn’t hold on to first place. The win would come from the driver starting in third, George Russell. With that win Russell is only the third different driver to ever win a sprint. All the other sprint races this year were won by Max Verstappen and last year only Verstappen and Bottas won a sprint race.

First mercedes win in almost a year

With winning the sprint race, George Russell won his first Formula 1 race. But he was still waiting to win his first Grand Prix. Due to his win the day before, the Mercedes driver could start the Grand Prix on Sunday from first place. With a great start from Russell he would lead almost the entire race, only to lose first place for a couple of laps due to a pitstop. Without any problems or really being under attack George Russell would finish after 71 laps to win his first Grand Prix. This win would be the first win for Mercedes in almost a year. The last win for the team was the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix won by Lewis Hamilton.

Last race of the year

This weekend we will return to the circuit where last year's championship was decided. In 2021 he did not win the race, but Lewis Hamilton is the driver with the most victories on the Yas Marina Circuit, winning the race 5 times in total. From the current grid Sebastian Vettel won the race 3 times, Max Verstappen 2 times and Valtteri Bottas once. Hamilton is also the driver who scored the most pole position and the most podiums at the circuit in Abu Dhabi.