Lewis Hamilton now has "a real chance" after "best so far" sprint - Ross Brawn

São Paulo Grand Prix

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Hamilton now has "a real chance" after "best so far" sprint - Brawn

Mercedes driver surged through the field in the sprint

Ian Parkes

Sunday 14 November 2021 15:00

F1 managing director motorsports Ross Brawn believes Lewis Hamilton has "a real chance" in the São Paulo Grand Prix after hailing the final sprint event of the year "the best so far".

F1 has trialled the sprint at three grands prix weekends this season in a bid to shake up an event, with Silverstone proving moderately successful given the initial buzz, Monza dull and Interlagos a highlight, predominantly given Hamilton's stunning drive from the back of the grid.

Next season, the sprint will expand to six events, with F1 to make tweaks and to study at which tracks it would best be suited, with Interlagos now the benchmark.

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Reflecting on the positives of the sprint and how without it Hamilton's shot at a win would be reduced, Brawn said: "This sprint was the best one so far with plenty of action and a great crowd to witness it all.

"The drama off the track created something fixating on it, with Lewis overtaking car after car. Without the sprint, he would be at the back of the grid for the race but, instead, he has a real chance starting from 10th.

“The freedom of choice for tyres, one of the rules for the sprint, also played a big part with [Valtteri] Bottas and [Carlos] Sainz using the softs to get away quickly and change the top three at the end and for the start of the race.”

Brawn is confident that on the back of the three events this season, the "foundations are very strong for the sprint" that will allow F1 to now make the necessary changes to enhance the show even further going forward.

“We will be presenting more details of our plans for six events in 2022 in the coming weeks in discussions with the FIA and the teams," added Brawn.

“There are things we need to tweak but Brazil showed the sprint is a great addition to the weekend and has made Friday, Saturday and Sunday big moments that are exciting for all of us.”