Defending champion Max Verstappen’s title hopes took a blow as he was forced to retire for the second time in three meetings. Leclerc now leads with 71 points, Russell moves up to second on 37, with Verstappen on 25 now behind Hamilton who has 28 points. Having claimed pole with a mighty lap he went on to prove to have the edge in race pace. By lap 13 he was over five seconds up the road, while Hamilton and Russell were holding station in fourth and fifth in front of the two McLarens, already in a different race, 15 seconds off the lead. Ferrari took their stop for Leclerc on lap 22, Hamilton following him in. Three seconds clear by lap 32 and setting repeated fastest laps, Leclerc remained ultimately untroubled.

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