The next target for Max Verstappen is the Alpine of Pierre Gasly. The Frenchman is passed quickly, leaving the Alpine exposed to the threat of George Russell.

Verstappen is now in fourth with a podium place in his sights, Russell is fifth and Gasly has dropped to sixth place.

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

That would explain it. Russell has been braking a little bit early and Verstappen just committed. By the time Russell knew anything about it - it was too late.

Applause from the Red Bull garage watching that pass by Max Verstappen on the Mercedes of George Russell. The Dutchman clocks a fastest lap, while his team-mate Sergio Perez leads this race.

"Big vibrations on the brakes"

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

Hamilton is right to be a bit downbeat. He's still stuck behind Alex Albon and Nico Hulkenberg in 13th, who he was sandwiched behind in turn one and a little contact with Hulkenberg - but I don't think there is significant damage for Hamilton.

George Russell is running in fifth place and the Red Bull of Max Verstappen, the guy he had the barney with last week in Baku, is just behind in P6.

DRS is open and the two-time world champion flies through on the W14 Mercedes.

Fernando Alonso is doing a few calculations in his head and radios in to Aston Martin to say, "Plan A, minus 12."

1. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

2. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

3. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

4. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

5. George Russell (Mercedes)

Image source, Getty Images

The McLarens started on the soft tyres and after that bump with the Alpha Tauri, Lando Norris comes in for a changeover.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton is not confident with how his front tyres are looking and is on the radio to his Mercedes crew to voice his concerns.

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

Leclerc lost out big time in the end - both Magnussen and Verstappen had DRS and it was a three-car drag race into turn one and no-one was going to beat a Red Bull in straight line speed.

Nyck de Vries suffered a big lock-up at the start of this 57-lap grand prix and went into the back of the McLaren of Lando Norris. Lewis Hamilton was also on the radio straight away to say he had been hit.

Kevin Magnussen is trying to get his elbows out and is battling with the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc. The two exchange places, allowing the door to open for Max Verstappen. Two cars dispatch by the Red Bull driver.

Verstappen is sixth, Magnussen is seventh and Leclerc is down in eighth place.

Jeremiah Kariuki: Hamilton starts well, then does one bad corner and slides back by two places. Good start by Perez and Russell.

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

They hit the breaks hard again and Verstappen makes another place - he's making light of it so far - two passes in two laps.

Logan Sargeant, the Florida native, has been brought into the pits by Williams for a front wing change.

One place ticked off the list for world champion Max Verstappen as he picks of the Alfa Romeo of Valtteri Bottas in eighth. Esteban Ocon, who started inP8, is now down in 10th in his Alpine.

Kevin Magnussen has tumbled down the order somewhat as the likes of George Russell and Charles Leclerc also make gains on the opening lap. Lando Norris has been caught in a bit of bother with the Alpha Tauri of Nyck de Vries.

Pierre Gasly has moved past Kevin Magnussen's Haas to slot into fourth spot. Bad start for Lewis Hamilton, who is now running in 14th.

Sergio Perez leads into Turn One after a fantastic start in the Red Bull. Fernando Alonso is still in second and Carlos Sainz in third.

Image source, Getty Images

Spanish-speaking top three have the best seats in the house.

Vamos. Vamos. Vamos!