Even Red Bull are surprised by the extent of their advantage, Horner admitted after the race. Now Verstappen was right with his team-mate, only George Russell and Alonso between the two Red Bulls. With a win and a second place each from two races, Verstappen leads the championship by virtue of the point he scored for setting fastest lap on the final tour of the race. Alonso, who has been the surprise of the season so far with a team who finished seventh last year, has no delusions about regularly challenging Red Bull. But he does scent the possibility of a win, which would be his first for 10 years. But it was Leclerc who summed up the most likely reality for anyone not Red Bull.

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