Verstappen makes a bit of a mess at the swimming pool, and loses a bit of time. A bit of relief for Hamilton. Do not forget that Verstappen still has a five-second penalty that will be added to his time. Sebastian Vettel still waits, poised to take advantage of any collision between the two cars in front of him.

Engineer: "Lewis, you have overtake available."

Hamilton: "Ahhh that's great news...."

Image source, Getty Images

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 live

Hamilton is having to defend and really having to work for this victory.

Hypnotherapy: to finish first you must finish. if Lewis is saying tyres are this bad, no option - unless it’s some tactics on the radio?

Ritch: It's easy for people to criticise Lewis for whining on the radio. They aren't sat in an F1 car at Monaco that badly needs new tyres.

Verstappen has an attack on Hamilton just before the tunnel. Not this time Max, not this time.

Max Verstappen: "Mode seven when you're ready Max. Mode seven."

Who wins this? Hamilton? Verstappen? Vettel? Bottas?

Monaco Grand Prix 1992.

Mansell v Senna.

Middle-lane hogging masterclass.

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Sebastian Vettel has a nice cushion of almost two seconds clear of Valtteri Bottas. Vettel, in third, must stay within five seconds of Verstappen, and hope Hamilton's tyres do not last the distance.

This could still be the strangest win of Vettel's career. He has not been in the top two at all in this race, yet he could still be celebrating.

Hold up Max Verstappen as much as possible, so even if he takes the lead late on, make sure Hamilton then stays within five seconds to take the race win.

That's the tactic from Mercedes. Closing your eyes and hoping it seems, much to Hamilton's annoyance, who is desperate to come in and get on to different tyres.

Who will be right? Hamilton or his team? Twelve laps to go.

Ellen Thompson: Anyone else getting infuriated at Lewis? Just get it together, and concentrate on a smooth drive, not whining about your tyres. Think of Danny Ric last year bringing his car home without power....

Don Uorri: Hamilton is the biggest whinger in the world on the team radio

Lady T: Sorry but Lewis will lose, I really hope he doesnt, never seen his tyres so worn out. Why didn't they put the hard tyres on in the first place. There is only so much you can do with tyres like that. He needs more than a miracle, much more

Gareth Jones: I know a large amount of the appeal of Moncao is the tension, but frankly this is giving me anxiety.

You know things are serious when they hand it over to Vowles.

James Vowles, Mercedes chief strategist on the radio: "Lewis it's James, you can do it if you trust it."

Remember last year in Russia... "Valtteri, it's James."

Pierre Gasly in to the pits for a late 15-lap blast to attack. He went in at fifth and came out fifth. Softs to the finish.

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1. Hamilton
2. Verstappen +0.5
3. Vettel +1.5
4. Bottas +3.0
5. Gasly +14.5
6. Sainz +38.3
7. Kvyat +40.2
8. Albon +43.1
9. Grosjean +45.2
10. Ricciardo +69.7

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 live

Hamilton won't be waiting, he's just trying to prepare before the tunnel and if Verstappen goes for it... Hamilton is just covering him at every other corner.

Roxy: I don't believe anything Hamilton says over his radio, cried wolf so many times.

Sulaimon Adelekan: Lewis Hamilton will hang on to win this. He's just playing mind games.

Image source, Getty Images

The good thing for Hamilton is that Verstappen, and not Vettel is the man directly behind him. Even if Verstappen goes ahead, his five-second penalty could still deny him the win.

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 live

If Hamilton pits again he will not win this grand prix. It is as simple as that.