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Russell wins sprint race, will start 1st for Brazilian GP

Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Mercedes' George Russell overtook Red Bull's Max Verstappen to win his first career sprint race and will start at the front of the grid for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.

Russell slipped past Verstappen with ten laps remaining after several unsuccessful tries.

Russell's teammate Lewis Hamilton will join him to make the first all-Mercedes front row of the season after Ferrari's Carlos Sainz was given a five-place grid penalty for a new engine.

"It's crazy to think we're both starting on the front row," Russell said. "We're in a luxury position where we can maybe split the strategy and go for the win."

Verstappen's car suffered some damage after colliding with Sainz, and the two-time world champion finished fourth.

First-time pole-sitter Kevin Magnussen lost the lead on the third lap. The Haas driver placed eighth.

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