George Russell won his first Grand Prix on Sunday in Sao Paulo.
His victory ensures Mercedes does not end the 2022 season without a win.
Russell said it was “incredibly emotional” to claim his first F1 victory.
“It was incredibly emotional,” Russell said. “It has been such a journey my whole family has been on since the beginning.
“Then since getting into Formula 1, through Williams, the struggles, the highs, the lows there.
“Then joining Mercedes and the struggles we had at the start of the season.
“This is a victory to be taken and I am so happy to cross that line and I am so proud of the whole time and the work we have done this season.”
The victory caps a brilliant debut campaign with Mercedes for the 24-year-old. He leads seven-time world champion, Hamilton, by 23 points going into next weekend’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hamilton was given permission by Mercedes to fight with Russell for the win, but the younger driver stayed calm to maintain an advantage of over a second, preventing his team-mate from getting into DRS range.
“It’s definitely not sinking in,” Russell added. “So many emotions crossing the line.
“I guess you dream of this moment. Floods of tears were coming out within five seconds of crossing that line and I think it’s also because those last 10 laps, Lewis put me under so much pressure.
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“I know how quick he’s been recently and I was like, ‘I can’t make one single mistake here because he’s going to be on me.
“When you do have Lewis as your team-mate, it is difficult to keep performing every single session because he is always on it.
“I feel so fortunate to be alongside him and I am learning so much and he is really pushing me.”
Hamilton happy for Mercedes’s victory
Hamilton, remains on course to end an F1 season winless for the first time in his career.
He experienced a far more action-packed race than Russell as he bounced back from an early crash with Max Verstappen.
At the restart following a Safety Car period triggered by a first-lap crash, Hamilton was attempting to defend his second place from Verstappen when the pair crashed approaching the second corner.
The stewards ruled Verstappen was at fault and gave the world champion a five-second time penalty for causing the collision.
Hamilton dropped to eighth, but surged back into contention before the second Safety Car of the race gave him hope of victory.
“Huge congratulations to George, this is a wonderful win for him,” Hamilton said.
“A bit more straightforward of a day for him than me, but still, I’m grateful I could get back up there and get a one-two for the team.
“He did an amazing qualifying yesterday, so he truly deserves it.”
