Pole: Charles Leclerc
Winner: max Verstappen
Fastest Lap: Lewis Hamilton 1:21.334
1-10
Opening lap and it’s a disaster for home town hero Sergio Perez as he goes around the outside at turn 1 but clashes with Leclerc and unfortunately has to retire from the race. Verstappen has an amazing start as both Ferraris look unsteady at the start as Verstappen gets in between both Leclerc and Sainz and breezes past them by turn 1. Russell has dropped behind Piastri and is following closely on lap 2. Norris has made up 2 places starting on the soft tyres. Lap 5, VSC deployed as there is a piece of Leclerc’s front wing on the track. Lap 6, VSC has ended and Red Bull is hard at work to try and get Perez's car back out but it is looking unlikely at the moment. In lap 8, Hamilton attempts a move on the inside of turn 1 but the alpha Tauri is too quick.
10-20
Verstappen is the fastest driver on track 2 seconds ahead of the field. Hamilton is through to P4 and has got past on the inside of turn 1 with Russell also close behind Piastri. In lap 12, Norris is into the pits for hard tyres. Cars seem to be struggling with the temperatures out on track.
20-30
Verstappen has pitted for hard tyres and has to manage them well as he has to go to the end of the race with these tyres. Zhou is into the pits on lap 22, as Ferrari is only looking at a one-stop today. In lap 23, Norris breezes past Alonso for p14 as Sargeant pits and Verstappen is back up to P5. Lap 24, Hulkenberg is in the pits as they are double-stacking at HAAS for Magnussen. In lap 25, Hamilton comes into the pits and goes for the undercut. Lap 26, Piastri pits for new tyres and comes out P10. In lap 27, Russell pits for new tyres and comes out behind Piastri as we see the McLaren get past Bottas. Lap 28, Ricciardo pits for P6, with the majority of the field on hard tyres. In lap 29, Russell gets past Albon as Norris gets past Bottas and is now up to P9.
30-40
Sainz pits on lap 31 as Leclerc is leading out in front, Norris is on a roll and gets past Albon up to P8. The following lap Leclerc pits as Verstappen retakes the lead. Lap 33, Magnussen has had a big hit in the second sector he gets out of the car and looks like he is okay as we see a replay something has snapped on the car and has sent him into the barriers. Verstappen and Norris pit as the red flag is deployed.
RESTART
Standing start restart as most of the grid is on hard tyres. In lap 36, all the drivers get away well as Hamilton goes down the inside of turn 1 but gets P3 and keeps Sainz behind. Verstappen blasts his way to the front and is almost 2 seconds ahead. Russell and Ricciardo had a close call at turn 3 as Ricciardo almost looked like he touched the side of the Mercedes. Norris has dropped 4 places after suffering from wheel spin during the start. Lap 39, Piastri has got past down the inside of Tsunoda for P7. Hamilton makes a bold move down the inside of the main straight as he goes onto the grass and sees if he can do something to catch Verstappen.
40-50
Russell is reporting again that Sainz is moving under braking as Russell is ending ever closer to the Ferrari. Piastri almost loses control of his car as he is having a close battle with Tsunoda. In lap 48, Alonso has to retire the car. Lap 49, Tsunoda and Piastri clip wheels in sector 1 as Tsunoda thinks he is ahead and Piastri has nowhere to go.
50-60
In lap 50, Verstappen is now 8 seconds out front as Hamilton is still P2 followed by Leclerc. Bottas makes a move on Gasly and the French driver can keep position with Bottas still close behind. Norris is now up to P8 and is trying to catch his teammate. Piastri locks up and lets Norris through as car number 4 thinks he has more pace. Lap 57, Verstappen is now 11 seconds ahead and Leclerc is now closing the gap to Hamilton for second place. Sargeant has reported that Stroll was moving under braking. Norris is now starting the charge to Ricciardo and also has Russell in his sights.
60-71
Norris has now closed the gap to Ricciardo and it was fought closely. Hulkenberg is doing well to keep on the verge of the final points finishing position. In lap 65, Norris is closing the gap to Russell on the track. Lap 66, Norris is now within DRS range to Russell who is struggling with his car. Lap 67, Ocon has got past Hulkenberg on the main straight and takes P10. Norris gets past Russell and is up to P5 as there is a yellow flag for Stroll in the stadium section he is clipped by Bottas and is straight into the pits. Debris is reported on track as Verstappen has built his gap to 14 seconds with 2 laps to go. Ricciardo is now close to Russell as we come to the closing part of the race. Verstappen wins for the 16th time this season as he breaks the record for most wins in a season and Hamilton comes home P2 and with the fastest lap and Leclerc P3. Russell pits up a stellar defence and keeps Ricciardo behind for P6.
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