SAO PAULO – George Russell paid an emotional tribute to the generosity and support of his family, the Mercedes team and Lewis Hamilton on Sunday after a flawless drive to his maiden full victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The 24-year-old Briton, who had won Saturday’s sprint race to secure pole position for Sunday’s classic contest, dominated from lights to flag to finish 1.5 seconds clear of teammate and seven-time world champion Hamilton.

It was the first one-two of the season for the Silver Arrows and a great triumph for the team after a challenging and disappointing start to the year when they struggled to cope with the new “ground effect” era in Formula One.

Mercedes are now just 19 points behind Ferrari in their bid to finish second in the constructors’ championship, a position they felt was unlikely after struggling so badly in the first half of the season.

A tearful Russell admitted he had been through an emotional roller-coaster as he and the team battled to recover their competitive form, having been team champions for the previous eight seasons.

“That was a really tough race,” he said. “I felt in control, but Lewis was super-fast and, when I saw the Safety Car towards the end of the race, I thought, ‘This is going to be a really difficult end’. He put me under so much pressure and I am so happy now to have come away from that with the victory.”

Asked to reflect on his journey to the top and his first win at his 81st Grand Prix, he thanked his parents, his family, his girlfriend and members of Mercedes, the team he joined as a junior driver in 2017.

“I’m speechless,” he said. “On the in-lap all of these memories came flooding back. Starting off with my mum and dad in go-karts and going through all the support I’ve had from the rest of my family, my girlfriend, my trainer, my manager...

“The list is endless. I can’t thank them enough. I am super proud today. What we have done is unbelievable this season – it’s been such an emotional rollercoaster.

“Having Lewis Hamilton as a teammate is something exceptional, too. He’s on it every day, works so hard and never misses anything. And he has been so great to work with. I have learnt so much.”

Hamilton, who was hoping for a win himself to extend his record of winning at least once in every season since he entered F1 in 2007, was delighted for Russell and the team.

“Firstly, huge congratulations to George. What an amazing drive today - he truly deserves it. We have all worked so hard for a win, but a one-two is incredible. Hugely deserved. A big thank you.”

Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff, who was absent, told Sky Sports F1 that Russell and Hamilton worked well as a pairing.

“It’s been back and forth but both drivers push each other, which is very good,” he said. “They work well together and that’s how it should be.”

Verstappen showed ‘who he really is’: Perez

The same, however, cannot be said of the Red Bull pair of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. After Sunday’s race, Perez said Verstappen showed “who he really is” after the two-time world champion refused to give back a place.

The radio comment came after he let Verstappen overtake on the understanding that the position would be returned if the Dutch driver could not pass Alpine’s Fernando Alonso for fifth place.

The Mexican needs every point to beat Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to second while Verstappen has already clinched the title. Red Bull have never finished one-two in the drivers’ standings.

Perez and Leclerc are tied on 290 points, with Leclerc ahead 3-2 on race wins. The Monegasque was also not helped by Ferrari allowing Carlos Sainz to finish ahead of him.

Verstappen, who had been penalised for a collision with Hamilton, was told by his engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to let Perez through at the finish but ignored it and took sixth place, with Perez seventh.

“Max, what happened?,” asked Lambiase.

“I told you already last time, you guys don’t ask that again to me, okay?“ replied Verstappen. “Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons and I stand by it.”

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner apologised to Perez. “I’m sorry for that Checo,” he said. “He shows who he really is,” replied the Mexican, who has been praised in the past by Verstappen for playing a supportive role.

Perez later expanded on his comment to Sky Sports television: “I was told to let him by, that I was going to get back the position.

“Maybe you should ask him about it... after all I’ve done for him, it’s a bit disappointing to be honest. I am really surprised.”

TV commentators speculated that the “last time” Verstappen was referring to might be Monaco, where Perez crashed late in qualifying but lined up third with his team-mate fourth.

Perez won that race with Verstappen third after a “double-stacked” pit stop.

Speaking to reporters later, Verstappen said it was “something that happened in the past” – refusing to confirm it was Monaco – and that he understood why Perez was upset.

He said the matter had been discussed and he explained his actions.

“We have to move forwards. We go to (the final race in) Abu Dhabi, they are tied on points and if he needs the help there to finish ahead of Charles, then I will help him.”

Horner would not give details of the team talks but said the focus for Abu Dhabi was to ensure Perez took second place overall.

“They are tied on points and whatever we can do as a team... we will do to help Checo (Perez) achieve that goal,” he said. AFP, REUTERS