But the McLaren pair have closed by a second in the last lap on Antonelli. Mercedes would likely stop as Piastri closes right up in 10 laps or so. These are some very evenly matched strategies.
We haven't really paid any attention to Antonelli yet in this race, but he leads by 12.6s right now. Mercedes will be considering a one-stop play here, and it could well work.
Piastri swings wide out of the last corner and uses some boost to pull clear of Hadjar. Norris tries it on the exit of Turn 1, and completes the move around the outside.
Hadjar allows Verstappen through, and Hamilton forces his way around the outside of Turn 5.
Antonelli now leads by 12.7s, but he is yet to pit.
A slow stop for Norris. He comes out right ahead of Verstappen, but Piastri is stuck behind Hadjar, who is slowing the leaders to bring Verstappen back into contention for the win. We've seen these games before.
Verstappen complains about Hamilton moving under braking, but Red Bull remain impressed by the move.
Piastri comes in this time, and that move from Verstappen might well have saved his lead. Norris will need to come in this time around.
Verstappen throws it down the inside of Hamilton into Turn 1, and he pulls off a stunning move on the Ferrari driver! That was brave! Hamilton is trying everything to return the favour.
Oh no. Bottas reports smoke from his brakes. The left front looks locked on, and there are visible flames from the Cadillac...again!
Hard tyres for Verstappen, and Hamilton just makes it work, sweeping around the outside of the Dutchman into Turn 1.
Hamilton passes Lindblad around the outside of Turn 5, and in comes Verstappen. This will be very close between the old rivals.
Hamilton pits, pulling out of Verstappen's dirty air. This is at least a two-stop plan. Hard tyres go on. This will only work IF Verstappen is not doing a one-stop strategy.
Adding to Verstappen's complaints. The gearshifts are rubbish, and he's suffering from heavy rear degradation.
Still, Hamilton can't find a way through.
12 laps in, Piastri leads Norris by just over a second. Verstappen is three seconds back on the McLarens, but has Hamilton and Leclerc behind for close company.
Verstappen is looking relatively comfortable in front of Hamilton here, but Ferrari are likely to pit soon to lose the soft tyres.
Norris believes that he's "much faster" than Piastri, but the "dirty air" is preventing him from showing it. That's part of racing, Lando.
Into P13 for Russell. After dropping back to P20, it's good improvement, but it's not what he would have hoped for.
Perez will now be investigated after the race.
Perez has been noted for a starting procedure infringement. He started from the pit lane, so that will be an interesting one.
Another complaint about his Red Bull from Verstappen. He reports that the damping has failed. The car is described as ****. Insert your own expletive here, I guess!
Not a bad start for McLaren.
Piastri and Norris are slowly beginning to pull clear, attempting to break the one-second gap that permits the use of overtake mode.
Verstappen is going elbows out, defending third place from Hamilton. On the exit of Turn 2 - newly renamed 'Hamilton' - the Red Bull driver closes the door aggressively.
A great start for McLaren, and particularly for Piastri, who could use a result like this after a difficult season.
Something has happened to Russell, as he shows right down the back of the field. "What happened there?" asks the Mercedes driver. It went into anti-stall, that's your answer, George!

