Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

Sainz has got to be clinical, and he was there. He knows he cannot wait an extra corner and he needs to pass Hulkenberg on this corner.

Another important move coming up for him

The pit stops have allowed Lewis Hamilton and Nico Hulkenberg to move up the order but Carlos Sainz, who has just pitted, clears Hamilton's Mercedes to take sixth spot.

Red Bull are getting ready to call in a driver. It's Sergio Perez.

1. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

3. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

4. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)

5. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)

Image source, Getty Images

Ryan: Verstappen without DRS catching drivers who have DRS. So dull.

Jeremiah: It is a shame how easy Verstappen is doing the overtakes! Like the others car are stagnating at a point as he drives past.

Pit calls for Charles Leclerc and George Russell. Carlos Sainz also comes in, but not before the Spaniard has a big lock-up on his way down the pit lane.

Lewis Hamilton needs to shift his Mercedes past the Haas of Nico Hulkenberg but the German is defending well against the seven-time world champion.

"My front right is starting to give up a bit."

Max Verstappen started on the hard tyres, Sergio Perez was a medium compounds guy.

Another fastest lap is banked by the reigning world champion. The gap is being chopped down lap by lap.

Andrew Priestley: Max has cleared 5 drivers and only sits 5 seconds behind his teammate in the lead of the Grand Prix. That’s much better than he would have hoped / expected, especially when starting on the hard compound tyres.

Nulla Pax: Is Perez keeping his tyres for when Max catches up?

The hunt is on. Red Bull are in first and second spots, with Sergio Perez holding a three-second advantage over his rapid team-mate Max Verstappen.

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

This has been clinical from Verstappen. He is coming through rapidly and setting fastest laps with the DRS.

Alonso knows there is no chance to keep Verstappen back - he just wants a podium here.

Another Spaniard is taken down by the Red Bull. Max Verstappen steals a glance on P2 and Fernando Alonso now finds himself running in third spot.

Sainz: "It feels like the fronts are struggling now."

Engineer: "Copy, diff mid minus 1. It's looking more towards Plan B. The hards are looking good. They're quite quick."

Charles Leclerc needs to go back to the drawing board when in comes to knocking Kevin Magnussen off his seventh spot.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen has reached the prancing horse of Carlos Sainz. The Red Bull is raging and the Ferrari is left for dust, as Verstappen swipes third spot away from the Spanish driver.

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

It is about time Perez woke up in this grand prix. In a Red Bull that Verstappen is charging through the field in Perez has still got Alonso on his tail, who has a clear line of sight to the leading Red Bull.

Has he just been looking after those tyres or can he unleash a little bit more?

Two crashes at the same corner for Charles Leclerc this weekend, so the Ferrari man is desperate to make amends. He passes the Haas of Kevin Magnussen but the Dane can't be pushed around that easily, and he quickly takes the place back.

Jeremiah: Verstappen overtakes Russell as the Mercedes is driving backward! No wonder Hamilton can't make any headway at the middle of the pack.

The Red Bull team-mates are trading fastest laps but it's Sergio Perez who is leading the field from Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz.

Radio messages are coming in now from drivers struggling with their tyres.

Image source, Getty Images

"My gut tells me its going to be a Plan A race."

Valtteri Bottas occupies the last of the points places in 10th place but Nico Hulkenberg, Alex Albon and Lewis Hamilton are all close behind the Alfa Romeo.

George Russell has a gut feeling...