Hamilton took the lead with 12 laps to go after fighting up from 10th place on the grid and cut Verstappen’s advantage in the championship to 14 points. His move on Verstappen came 11 laps after the Dutchman forced him off track when Hamilton made another attempt. Hamilton was up to sixth at the end of the first lap, fourth behind team-mate Valtteri Bottas after three laps, and then third behind the two Red Bulls of Verstappen and Sergio Perez after the Finn was ordered to let him through the next time around. After a safety car, Hamilton chased Perez and passed for second at Turn One on lap 19 and then set about Verstappen. Hamilton made his first attempt to pass Verstappen on lap 48, with 23 to go, and the move ended in controversy,. Hamilton was ahead on the outside as they entered the corner, but Verstappen launched up the inside and forced the Mercedes wide and both left the track.

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