Polesitter Russell powered clear at two safety restarts to avoid a battle with his teammate, who he was free to race, as Hamilton recovered from his fall to eighth after tagging with 2021 rival Verstappen in what was an action-packed penultimate round of the campaign at Interlagos.
With Red Bull's day getting worse when Sergio Perez was stuck on the wrong tyre for the final stint, Ferrari could capitalise to take third and fourth - Carlos Sainz heading Charles Leclerc despite the Monegasque arguing for team orders to secure second in the championship.
