Formula 1 set for Sao Paulo Sprint race

Mercedes make strategic call to avoid penalty in Interlagos qualifying

George Russell qualifies second for Saturday's Sprint, while Lewis Hamilton starts eighth after taking a tactical grid penalty

Mercedes have opted to take a strategic grid penalty for Lewis Hamilton at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with the seven-time world champion starting eighth after qualifying for the Sprint in third place.

The decision was made in order to avoid a potential penalty for exceeding the number of permitted power unit elements, with Hamilton having already used more than the allocated three engines this season.

By taking the penalty now, Mercedes can avoid a potential 10-place grid penalty later in the season, which would have been more costly in terms of championship points.

George Russell, meanwhile, will start the Sprint from second place after qualifying just 0.033 seconds behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

The Sprint will take place on Saturday at 4:30pm local time (6:30pm GMT), with the results determining the starting grid for Sunday's Grand Prix.