Summary

  • Racing Point's Sergio Perez claims maiden victory in penultimate race for team

  • George Russell was closing in on win before pit stop mix-up and puncture ended hopes

  • Mercedes also had problem with Valtteri Bottas, dropping him down order

  • Max Verstappen (Red Bull) & Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) out on first lap

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Live Reporting

Michael Emons

  1. Fastest man on track at the moment is Daniil Kvyat, down in eighth for Alpha Tauri.

  2. Get Involved #bbcf1

    Russell leading in the Mercedes

    Lily Oloumi: It is great to see George Russell leading the race.

    David: I can imagine George Russell thinking "so this is what the sharp end of a grand prix looks like. I really hope he wins this race.

    Ben: Ricciardo will be on the third step today.

  3. Jack Nicholls
    BBC Radio 5 Live F1 commentator

    Russell is building up his lead here.

  4. Jolyon Palmer
    Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Russell is doing everything right.

  5. Are Mercedes looking at a one-stop? We've still got 55 laps to go, but it's the shortest lap of the season. Russell's lead is now three seconds.

    Russell has impressed since joining F1 last season but, in a shocker of a car at Williams last season, failed to score a point while team-mate Robert Kubica gained one point in a race when loads did not finish.

    Russell still has no points to his name, but this weekend he is showing his class and potential. He is 55 laps away from winning this one. It looks like him or Bottas. No-one else is anywhere near them.

  6. Team radio - Bottas

    "Both cars have been instructed to stay off the kerbs at turn eight," Bottas is told.

  7. 'Degradation lower on the mediums'

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  8. Daniel Ricciardo pits from third and is back out there in fifth. That promotes Lance Stroll, another yet to stop, up to third. No stops from either Mercedes man either.

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    Russell building gap over Bottas

    Mr Kevin Prior: Could be a Hamilton v Rosberg-Duel in the Desert 2014-like between Russell and Bottas tonight?

    Andrew Spiers: Given that Russell has jumped from the back of the grid to the front once he has been put in the best, would other drivers be able to do the same? Who would be the best driver if they were all put in the same car?

  10. With Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc out on lap one, the Mercedes pair are driving into the distance. Russell is two seconds clear of Valtteri Bottas, with Daniel Ricciardo, also yet to pit, more than 15 seconds behind of the Finn.

  11. Jolyon Palmer
    Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Mercedes won't want their drivers touching the kerbs because they are only racing each other. They will want to be playing it safe and not risk damaging the car.

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    Russell leading from Bottas and Sainz

    Reece Young: Sergio Perez has had probably his best season this year. Been outstanding in many of the races. How he doesn't have a drive next year is ridiculous.

    Cactus Jack: Can we have more short tracks on the calendar? Brands Hatch GP anyone?

    Willem Mevius: Did Perez just wrestle next year's Red Bull seat from Albon there?

  13. A quarter of the race done. Perfect from George Russell, who just sets the fastest lap. Keep calm George, keep calm.

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  15. Team radio - Russell

    "Please let me know if he's using kerbs. I can probably go a couple of tenths quicker.

    Russell adds shortly afterwards: "Valtteri is using more kerb."

  16. Alexander Albon is another fighting for his F1 future and all of Red Bull's hopes are on him as Max Verstappen's race was done before the end of lap one.

    Albon is not a happy man and he's down in 10th. Not a career-saving performance at the moment.

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    Russell out in front, Bottas second

    Francesca Gunn: I swear if team orders happen and they just let Bottas win the race because it’s Russell and not Hamilton I’m gonna be mad!!

    JJ Jackson: In light of Albon's current drive, would Red Bull be better off with Perez or Hulkenburg next year? Hulk's been impressive, but Perez more recent experience.

    George RussellReuters

  18. Jolyon Palmer
    Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Perez could still finish on the podium in this grand prix.

    Fifth to 18th to ninth so far for the Mexican, driving for his F1 future.

  19. Both the Mercedes' are still on the mediums. Bottas in second is nearly nine seconds clear of Carlos Sainz in third.

    Sainz is in his penultimate race for McLaren before jumping to Ferrari in 2021. Securing McLaren third in the constructors' title would be a very good leaving present.

  20. Lando Norris dives into the pits at the 20-lap mark, ditching the softs that had seen him jump from 19th into the top 10.