Engineer: "Looks like it is a big ask to [overtake Rosberg], so maybe better to consolidate the position."

Lewis Hamilton: "If you are saying it is not possible let me know."

Engineer: "Yeah I don't think it would be possible with the remaining laps, we'd be better just looking after this one, let him have it."

Hamilton: "Is it impossible is what I'm asking?"

Engineer: "Yes, he is going to respond if we pick the pace up. It would be impossible."

Kimi Raikkonen's pursuit of Valtteri Bottas is looking like being the most exciting battle of the final few laps of this race. Bottas is seeing red in his mirror, with Raikkonen half a second behind the Williams. Bottas is hold on for now, though. Six laps to go.

Georgie Rose: Could Ferrari have got their strategy any more wrong?

Tim Purcell: Alonso has the look of a man who has just traded his milkfloat for a tractor only to find his milkfloat was quite good.

Hamid Rasool: The Ferraris are awful on the harder compound! Would have been lapped by the Mercs if the whole race had been on them.

Image source, Getty Images

Lap 56 of 66 and this is the top 10 as it stands.

Image source, AFP

Sebastian Vettel: "Come on, blue flag! Otherwise I get stuck."

A new best from Lewis Hamilton as he clocks 1:28.270, over a second quicker than Nico Rosberg.

Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel needs to watch out for Valtteri Bottas, who is fourth and currently lapping half a second quicker than the German.

Image source, Reuters

Sebastian Vettel is not happy. He trails Hamilton by 9.8s and complains over team radio: "We lost too much time in traffic."

Ben Edwards
BBC F1 commentator

"Lewis Hamilton is able to cut through traffic so clinically, it's one of his great skills and it's worked for him today."

David Coulthard
BBC F1 co-commentator

"In the end, with that pit stop being very solid, it wasn't even close between Hamilton and Vettel. That's the power of the three-stopper, if you can get the clean air."

Lewis Hamilton is told that Sebastian Vettel is now in his pit window. If he heads in, he can emerge in front of the German and he does just that, making his third and final pit stop. He takes on medium tyres and in 2.6s he is back out... in front of the Ferrari. Great stop.

Rosberg is 20s ahead with 13 laps to go...

David Coulthard
BBC F1 co-commentator

"Vettel has a problem, he must have a problem. The gap now is 20 seconds to Hamilton.

"If Mercedes deliver a world-class pit stop, Hamilton can get in and get out in front of the Ferrari."

Is Sebastian Vettel's fight fading? He is 20.1s behind Lewis Hamilton and the gap looks set to only get bigger.

Fifty laps gone and it is Lewis Hamilton from Nico Rosberg, Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas.

James Allen
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"It's all about Vettel versus Hamilton in the latter stage of this grand prix."

Pastor Maldonado had given it a good go with that damaged rear wing but his race is now run. He is told to pit on lap 48 and Lotus retire his car.

So Lewis Hamilton leads but, having switched to "plan B" he will need to pit once more with 18 laps to go.

Tom Clarkson
BBC F1 pit-lane reporter

"It's really really slippery in the pits. Dust and rubber marbles thrown up into the air - and more slippy here that another other pit box we go to."

James A Balmer: What a shame these drivers can't race like they should because they have "worry" about their tyres!

Sean Harrison: I think all the front jackmen should ask for a pay rise after today!

Rehan: Where's the good old racing and overtakes? This Formula is not exciting right now. Pit stops more exciting that the race.

Nico Rosberg is coasting. He's 20.7s ahead of Lewis Hamilton but still has to make another stop, which he does on lap 45.

It has not been the best display of pit stops today, but it is a smooth one for Rosberg, 2.8s as hards are put on and he comes out just behind Lewis Hamilton in second.

Lotus F1 on Twitter: "All good with the crew. Ice pack redeployed..."

David Coulthard
BBC F1 co-commentator

"Well held that front jackman. It just show the focus and adrenaline. They are brave men."

A great picture has just flashed up on the screen of the Lotus jackman in question holding an ice pack over what looks like his gentleman's area, but might actually be his stomach.

Anyway, the good thing is he's laughing - although not as hard as his team-mates.

Image source, Formula1.com