Russell’s optimism clashes with Hamilton’s doubts in São Paulo

Russell targets a “solid race” from second place in Brazil

03/11/2024

Russell’s confidence meets Hamilton’s bleak outlook for Brazil’s Grand Prix, with both drivers setting distinct expectations for Interlagos.

George Russell will start on the front row of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, following an impressive performance in the rain. The Mercedes F1 driver, who claimed his maiden victory in Brazil two years ago, is pleased to see the popularity of Formula 1 at Interlagos and appreciates the format of the day, with both qualifying and the race.

“I always enjoy being in Sao Paulo; I have great memories here. Yesterday, it was tough waiting around, seeing the fans stay on despite the rain. But at 6 a.m., when I arrived at the circuit, I saw everyone queued up and waiting—I’m happy to be starting second,” Russell said.

“I honestly like this; it reminds me of karting days. You get up, have breakfast in your suit, and then go out to drive. Maybe they should consider this format for the future; perhaps it’s the right one. We’ll try to have a strong race.”

Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, was eliminated in Q1 and will start 15th on the grid, possibly higher if other drivers can’t start following qualifying accidents. The seven-time world champion is not optimistic about his Sunday: “I’m not going to be negative. It’s just how it is.”

“I have no hope for the race; I’ll just do what I can. With the car I have at the moment, it’s the worst I’ve ever driven, so I probably won’t get very far with it. Maybe I’ll start from the pit lane—I don’t know, we’ll see.”

Russell’s optimism clashes with Hamilton’s doubts in São Paulo Russell’s optimism clashes with Hamilton’s doubts in São Paulo

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Chinese GP
21 Mar 2025 - 23 Mar 2025
Free Practice 1
21 MAR 03:30 - 04:30
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21 MAR 07:30 - 08:14
Sprint Race
22 MAR 03:00 - 04:00
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22 MAR 07:00 - 08:00
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23 MAR 07:00 - 09:00

2025 F1 Australian Grand Prix - Race Results

Lando Norris
1
LANDO
NORRIS
57
Max Verstappen
2
MAX
VERSTAPPEN
+0.895s
George Russell
3
GEORGE
RUSSELL
+8.481s
Alex Albon
4
ALEX
ALBON
+12.773s
Kimi Antonelli
5
KIMI
ANTONELLI
+15.135s
Lance Stroll
6
LANCE
STROLL
+17.413s
Nico Hulkenberg
7
NICO
HULKENBERG
+18.423s
Charles Leclerc
8
CHARLES
LECLERC
+19.826s
Oscar Piastri
9
OSCAR
PIASTRI
+20.448s
Lewis Hamilton
10
LEWIS
HAMILTON
+22.473s
Pierre Gasly
11
PIERRE
GASLY
+26.502s
Yuki Tsunoda
12
YUKI
TSUNODA
+29.884s
Esteban Ocon
13
ESTEBAN
OCON
+33.161s
Oliver Bearman
14
OLIVER
BEARMAN
+40.351s
Liam Lawson
15
LIAM
LAWSON
47 DNF
Gabriel Bortoleto
16
GABRIEL
BORTOLETO
47 DNF
Fernando Alonso
17
FERNANDO
ALONSO
34 DNF
Carlos Sainz
18
CARLOS
SAINZ
0 DNF
Jack Doohan
19
JACK
DOOHAN
0 DNF
Isack Hadjar
20
ISACK
HADJAR
0 DNF
F1 CALENDAR 2025
Race
Date
Chinese Flag
Chinese
Shanghai International
23 Mar
Japanese Flag
Japanese
Suzuka Circuit
6 Apr
Bahrain Flag
Bahrain
Sakhir desert
13 Apr
Saudi Arabia Flag
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street
20 Apr
United States Flag
United States
Miami
04 May

2025 FORMULA 1 DRIVERS' WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Lando Norris
1
LANDO
NORRIS
25 Points
Max Verstappen
2
MAX
VERSTAPPEN
18
George Russell
3
GEORGE
RUSSELL
15
Alex Albon
4
ALEX
ALBON
12
Kimi Antonelli
5
KIMI
ANTONELLI
10
Lance Stroll
6
LANCE
STROLL
8
Nico Hulkenberg
7
NICO
HULKENBERG
6
Charles Leclerc
8
CHARLES
LECLERC
4
Oscar Piastri
9
OSCAR
PIASTRI
2
Lewis Hamilton
10
LEWIS
HAMILTON
1

2025 FORMULA 1 CONSTRUCTORS' WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

1
McLaren
27
2
Mercedes
25
3
Red Bull
18
4
Williams
12
5
Aston Martin
8
6
Sauber
6
7
Ferrari
5
8
Alpine F1
0
9
Haas F1
0
10
Racing Bulls
0
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