George Russell's race has long since been run...

Image source, Reuters

But Lewis Hamilton has just set a new lap track record. He's on course for 26 points if he holds on to it, but Leclerc is going for a flyer.

Charles Leclerc has given up on a potential win. He's just announced he's going for the fastest lap.

This is going to give Lewis Hamilton a 72-point lead in the title race with five races to go. As long as Bottas stays second then the world title can not be decided in Japan in two weeks' time.

Max Verstappen has jumped five spots from ninth to fourth, Alexander Albon from 20th to fifth. Obviously Mercedes with a one-two will be happiest, but there will be smiles on the Red Bull faces too.

Alexander Albon is at the best he could be. Fifth, after getting past Sainz. Verstappen is expected to dive into the pits, fastest lap bonus point hunting.

Image source, Reuters

The only thing to keep us interested is the race for second. Valtteri Bottas trying to hold off Charles Leclerc, whose tyres are two laps fresher.

Engineer: "Max, we're losing an abnormal amount of time at Turn 13, is there anything we can help you out with or at least let us know your problems."

MV: "I don't know, to who are you comparing?"

E: "That's to Lewis."

Image source, Reuters

We often look for Max Verstappen for some excitement. Nothing he can do though from fourth. Five seconds off Leclerc, 22 clear of Carlos Sainz.

Kevin Magnussen gets a five-second penalty for leaving the track, at turn two. He's eighth, but that would drop him to 11th and out of the points as it stands.

Image source, Reuters

Only a crazy mistake, either human or mechanical, is going to deny Lewis Hamilton this one.

Image source, Reuters

1. Hamilton
2. Bottas
3. Leclerc
4. Verstappen
5. Sainz
6. Albon
7. Perez
8. Magnussen
9. Norris
10. Hulkenberg

"You can do this Nico, you can do this."

Nico 10th at the moment. Renault down to one car with Ricciardo out.

Hamilton's lead is now 4.5 seconds. We're only going to have a dramatic end to this one if Charles Leclerc can get ahead of Valtteri Bottas in second.

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 live

The longer he stays close to Bottas, the more he's going to hurt his tyres. Right now he's doing a good job to stay so close for so long and Bottas is driving a tidy race in second.

"Do I need to check on the pace?"

Engineer: "Just hold this gap now. I'll update you if he passes Valtteri."

Simon Faulkner: Question please boys... why did Mercedes renew Bottas' contract? He's not competitive to win races at the moment, he's expensive and they have a fantastic project driver in Ocon waiting in the wings.

Helping Mercedes win the constructors' championship in both of his seasons with the team and them well clear again this year may well be why.

But it is not long before Albon gets him, going around the outside of Turn 13. It's another good drive for the new Red Bull man. If he gets Carlos Sainz and up to fifth then that is the maximum he could've been hoping for.

FoodieOnTour: Leclerc is not a racer. Always complaining about following team orders when he should be focusing on being the fastest. Nothing more than a manager behind a car.

Alexander Albon was hunting out the Haas of Kevin Magnussen in sixth. He is close to getting his man before a slide, a spell off track, means he has to do it all again.