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Lewis Hamilton sends fanatical Brazilian F1 fans wild by passing Max Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton sends fanatical Brazilian F1 fans wild by passing Max Verstappen,Lewis Hamilton, who was awarded honorary Brazilian citizenship earlier this week, received fervent support from fans at Interlagos during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix sprint race

Lewis Hamilton sends fanatical Brazilian F1 fans wild by passing Max Verstappen

Honorary Brazilian citizen Lewis Hamilton was cheered like a genuine home favourite as he roared through the field to take third in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix sprint race.

Hamilton had to settle for eighth in a rain-hit qualifying session, which was interrupted when his teammate George Russell slid off the track in Q3, bringing out the red flags. By the time the session could be restarted, the rain had intensified and Hamilton was unable to make full use of the obvious pace of his improving Mercedes.

However, both he and Russell were able to display their speed in the race. Russell, having started third, overtook surprise pole-sitter Kevin Magnussen and Max Verstappen to win the Sprint.

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton tells Brazilians 'I feel like one of you' after citizenship ceremony

Verstappen was also passed by Carlos Sainz, with the Red Bull suffering front wing damage in the process. That opened the door to Hamilton who, in the absence of a Brazilian driver, received huge support from the Sao Paulo crowd.

That was demonstrated by footage which has emerged on social media of the moment Hamilton overtook Verstappen for third. Fans watching on a big screen cheered as the move was completed going into the first corner. They then roared their approval as the leaders roared past.

Hamilton, who idolised Brazilian F1 legend Ayrton Senna growing up, was made an honorary citizen of the country on Monday and he is hoping to end a memorable week by completing victory in the main event on Sunday.

Who will win the Sao Paulo Grand Prix? Tell us in the comments section below.

Brazilian fans go wild after Lewis Hamilton passes Max Verstappen (Image: @dearlews/Twitter)
Lewis Hamilton after finishing third in the sprint race in Sao Paulo (Image: Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Speaking after the race the seven-time world champion said: “This has been a very humbling week for me. I have been so warmly welcomed. My parents have messaged me, and they are so grateful to everyone in Brazil for the love they have given their kid.

“For sure, it is the greatest dream to get a win here. But it will be tough to race George tomorrow. Hopefully we will have a bit of a battle and take a one-two for the team.”

There were question marks over Hamilton’s third position after he was called to face the stewards over a potential start-line infringement. However, it has been confirmed the seven-time world champion will not serve a penalty.

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