HIGHLIGHTS: Watch as Russell takes P1 and Verstappen hits trouble in a scintillating Sao Paulo Sprint

The 2022 Sao Paulo Sprint delivered in droves, with George Russell passing reigning champion Max Verstappen for P1 in an exhilarating 100km dash to the line.

Verstappen began the race on mediums and stalked the soft-shod Haas of pole winner Kevin Magnussen early on before overhauling the Dane for the lead. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso also made contact at the start, and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll later forced his team mate Sebastian Vettel wide, the Canadian copping a 10-second penalty for that move.

READ MORE: Russell beats Verstappen in Sprint thriller to secure P1 grid slot for the Sao Paulo GP

Midway through the Sprint, Russell challenged Verstappen, who gave a stoic defence of his lead before losing out to the Mercedes.

Carlos Sainz – who has a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s Grand Prix – made contact with Verstappen in the process of taking P2 off the Red Bull towards the end of the race, which helped Lewis Hamilton overhaul his 2021 title rival for P3 soon after.

Over a span of just 24 laps, the Sao Paulo Sprint was packed full of action – watch the highlights in the video player above.