While Mercedes drivers Russell and Hamilton will need to work together to keep Max Verstappen at bay, the two Brits are likely to be on separate race strategies in Sao Paulo
George Russell admitted he and Lewis Hamilton will have to split their strategies to give Mercedes the best chance of winning the Brazilian Grand Prix.
For the first time this year, the two Silver Arrows will start a race on the front row. That happened courtesy of a dream Sprint race for them, which Russell won after a battle with Max Verstappen while Hamilton finished third.
Carlos Sainz was second, but the Ferrari racer has a five-place grid penalty for taking a new power unit this weekend. It means the Mercedes drivers will have the opportunity to work together to keep the Red Bulls of Verstappen and Sergio Perez behind them in the early stages of the race.
Both will be keen to be the one to secure Mercedes’ first victory of the year. And Russell made it clear they will be allowed to compete with one another. “There definitely won’t be any team orders,” said the 24-year-old.