George Russell

The Mercedes pair took one-two, earning the team's first win of 2022, while Max Verstappen got a five-second time penalty for a collision with Hamilton.

The result is huge in terms of morale as the team looks toward next season, with Red Bull having already secured the drivers’ and constructors’ double this year. They did so with all the skill they demonstrated when enjoying dominant periods, a testament to their operational precision, clearly not dulled by a difficult year. The win is all the more remarkable given it comes after a brutal season where the uncompetitive Mercedes has not only been off the pace but a handful to drive and hugely physically demanding This, his 81st race in his fourth year in F1 having spent the previous three at Williams, was a huge result for the 24-year-old from King’s Lynn who had come to racing after following his brother to karting meetings and driving his pedal car round the paddock. With Hamilton having made his way back through the field the pair were one and two, closed up after a late safety car, and Mercedes made it clear they were free to race. Russell started from pole and was unmatched out front but he had benefitted from F1’s eternal antagonists, Max Verstappen and Hamilton, once more tangling with one another in his wake.