Hamilton smiling in front of camera: 'First time I've gone past Verstappen'

Mercedes is looking good for the main race. The team has won a race for the first time this season and will also try to cross the line as winners on Sunday. George Russell will start from pole position, while Hamilton will start from P2 after Carlos Sainz's grid penalty.

In the sprint race, Verstappen was the only driver to start at the front on mediums. At the start, the Dutchman managed to overtake poleman Kevin Magnussen, but halfway through the race Russell entered the fight with the two-time world champion. Soon after, Verstappen was also overtaken by Sainz and Hamilton.

Hamilton calls overtake on Verstappen 'surreal'

Mercedes started the 2022 season well behind and had to watch Red Bull Racing and Ferrari battle it out for the title. In the closing stages of the season, the team seems to have found the momentum again. In Austin and Mexico, Hamilton came close to winner Verstappen, but at Interlagos, the Mercedes driver was finally able to overtake his rival on track.

"It just felt good to have momentum. Even just passing a Red Bull today, I think it was the first time I've gone past a Red Bull that I can remember. At least the number one Red Bull. It was very surreal, because I'm like, hold on a second. This is the first time we've overtaken them in a long time", Hamilton says in front of Viaplay's camera, smiling. "I'm just really proud of everyone in the team. We're going to try and find the right balance for tomorrow [Sunday]", the seven-time world champion ends.