Nathan Marzan: It shows how well Lewis was doing to stay behind Leclerc when Bottas can't even get within a second on fresher tyres

Conor Matchett: If Hamilton was driving like Leclerc, it would be considered genius. This is phenomenal defensive driving from the Ferrari man.

"Come on Valtteri, this is your win."

He's 1.8 sec behind Leclerc.

Leclerc is holding on. Whatever you think about his driving* he has shown phenomenal mental strength to stay at the front.

*There's certainly plenty to think about his driving.

Elsewhere, Kevin Magnussen retires in the pits with a hydraulic problem.

Image source, Reuters

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 live

Leclerc right now is in a strong position for this one. He's leading the race, the laps are ticking down and the main threat of Hamilton is gone.

Bottas has never been as aggressive as Hamilton in wheel-to-wheel racing.

We have just seen how aggressive Leclerc is willing to be - Bottas is going to have to match that and more if he wants to win the Grand Prix.

Image source, Getty Images

Max Verstappen has fought his way up to eighth, by the way. Not a bad effort considering his trials and tribulations here.

"Yeah I've got nothing left in these tyres."

"We are looking at options" says his race engineer.

Hamilton resigned to third, I'd say.

Leclerc's lead over Bottas is around 1.3 seconds. Bottas is gaining, but running out of laps. Crikey, this is tense. How are your nerves?

Claire Cottingham
BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter

Without the cars, when there isn't a Ferrari going past you can probably hear a pin drop. As soon as a Ferrari goes past, particularly Leclerc, they get up cheering and it's getting louder and louder.

Reece Young: Stewards trying their best to not annoy the Tifosi I see.

As I say that, Hamilton loses second! He runs off into the first chicane, and that gives Bottas the chance to pass him. The Finn is up into second. There are cheers from the Ferrari garage - but this might not be over yet. Bottas, on the fresher tyres, arguably has the better chance of catching Leclerc.

Leclerc is gaining ground in front of Hamilton now - the Briton looks to be struggling with his tyres. Bottas, meanwhile, is gaining on Hamilton. There is, perhaps, a tough tactical decision for Mercedes to make here.

1) Leclerc

2) Hamilton +0.913

3) Bottas +2.661

4) Ricciardo +33.935

5) Hulkenberg +50.189

6) Albon +56.382

Here is the timeline of Sebastian Vettel's brain freeze as he spins off and drives back on to the track with the main field approaching.

Lance Stroll was the unfortunate soul to speed around the corner to be faced with a stationary Vettel pointing the wrong way on the track facing him.

The young man can be commended for doing his best to take evasive action... but not for driving back on the track in front of Pierre Gasly!

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Yannis Rigas: Charles you cannot drive like this mate! This is not OK.

Thanks Stan: Leclerc takes a shortcut to keep his lead over Hamilton. Surely he has to give up the position???

No investigation necessary, say the stewards. Thoughts?

The stewards have noted that Leclerc missed the apex at Turn 2 there. Hamilton is fuming on the Mercedes team radio. "Some dangerous driving going on," he says.

Oh! Leclerc locks up and goes through the chicane. Another chance for Hamilton - but the Ferrari man holds on.

Image source, Getty Images

Sebastian Vettel is caught by the leaders, and is blue flagged - ie. ordered to get out of the way so that Leclerc and Hamilton can get past. He obliges. It's all about the front two now. Leclerc continues to hold off Hamilton. There's more drama in this race yet, though.

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 live

All falling into place for Renault in fourth and fifth, but they are going to need some drama to get on the podium.