Rain’s no Haas-el for Kevin

KEVIN MAGNUSSEN will start on pole position in today’s sprint race at the Brazilian Grand Prix after providing the biggest shock of the F1 season.

The Haas driver (above) benefitted from a red flag after George Russell beached his Mercedes and the intense rain that followed.

Only Lewis Hamilton ventured out as conditions worsened but he could not improve on eighth spot.

The Brit is still determined to haul Mercedes above Ferrari in the constructors’ championship, though, to help 1,200 team employees battle the UK’S cost-of-living crisis.

Mercedes head into this weekend’s penultimate round of the season 40 points adrift of second-placed Ferrari with Red Bull already champions.

But Mercedes staff at the team’s headquarters in Brackley, Northamptonshire, will land a big end-of-year bonus if Hamilton and Russell can take the runners-up slot.

Hamilton said: “I know how important finishing second is for the team and everyone back at the factory, in terms of bonuses, especially at a time when energy prices have gone through the roof .

“Ferrari have an amazing car, so it will be no easy feat to beat them. But, if we did, it would be an amazing comeback.”