Verstappen, Perez, Alonso, Ocon, Sainz, Russell, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Hulkenberg, Gasly, Stroll, Magnussen, Leclerc, Albon, Norris, Zhou, de Vries, Piastri and Sargeant.
Hamilton lets Russell through for sixth - the seven-time champion has yet to stop.
15.4s between the front two now - Verstappen was 0.5s quicker on the last lap.
He's told: "You are free to lean on the tyres now, Max."
Verstappen, Perez, Ocon, Alonso, Sainz, Hamilton, Russell, Hulkenberg, Tsunoda, Gasly, Stroll, Magnussen, Leclerc, Zhou, Bottas, Albon, Norris, Piastri, de Vries and Sargeant.
"They get pretty close with three laps to go," Christian Horner predicted to Sky Sports F1.
"It really depends how the deg is and how it unfolds. In our simulation, with three laps to go. they will be racing each other."
An easy move from Alonso to male the most of DRS. He has six laps fresher tyres than Sainz.
Alonso is now right behind Sainz in the pattle for fourth - third overall as Ocon ahead has yet to stop.
After extending his stint on the mediums, Aston Martin pit Alonso,
He rejoins in fifth behind Sainz - who has a penalty for speeding.
He's up to sixth now - yet to pit though.
He's been given a five-second time penalty for speeding.
Verstappen, Alonso, Perez, Ocon, Sainz, Hulkenberg, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Albon, Stroll, Russell, Gasly, Zhou, Magnussen, Leclerc, Bottas, Norris, Piastri, de Vries and Sargeant.
For speeding in the pit lane...
The race leader is in for new hard tyres - a 2.2s pit stop for Perez.
He rejoins in fourth ahead of Sainz.
He's now 1.4s behind Perez for the race win.
Russell and Leclerc pit for new hard tyres. They rejoin in 12th and 15th respectively.
Will this trigger Sainz and Alonso to pit soon?
Verstappen has cut Perez's lead down to 2.6s at the front of the field.
Perez, Verstappen, Alonso, Sainz, Russell, Leclerc, Ocon, Hulkenberg, Hamilton and Albon.
Verstappen up to second - he's 3.7s off Perez now.
Verstappen moves up to third - making the most of DRS to get past Sainz.
Perez, Alonso, Sainz, Verstappen, Russell, Gasly, Magnusssen, Leclerc, Ocon, Bottas, Hulkenberg, Albon, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Zhou, Stroll, de Vries, Norris, Piastri and Sargeant.
"OK Max, at the moment the hard tyre looks like a strong tyre. We just need to keep it on plan."
"My gut tells me that it's going to be a Plan A race." - one-stop perhaps?