Virtual safety car (Lap 16/50)
After a clash at the back with Hamilton and Albon, there’s debris on track at the end of the back straight – so a VSC has been called.
Will anyone have an opportunity to pit? I don’t think so…
Kieran Jackson23 November 2025 04:31
Leclerc up to fifth (Lap 15/50)
Leclerc is gaining speed and cruises past Isack Hadjar.
Got to say, Piastri really needs to get ahead of the Racing Bull here.
Meanwhile, Antonelli down in 13th has a five-second penalty for a false start.
Top-10: Verstappen, Russell, Norris, Sainz, Leclerc, Hadjar, Piastri, Bearman, Alonso, Hulkenberg
Kieran Jackson23 November 2025 04:29
Piastri drops to seventh (Lap 13/50)
Piastri complaining of graining with his tyres, loses pace, and Leclerc takes the McLaren on the straight!
Not good news for Piastri – down to seventh!
Kieran Jackson23 November 2025 04:25
Verstappen builds his lead (Lap 12/50)
Verstappen now has a 1.7-second lead on Russell, with Norris still two seconds off the Mercedes.
Piastri, meanwhile, now within DRS on Hadjar in fifth. He needs to get the move done.
Meanwhile, Leclerc on team radio: “I’m pushing like an animal.”
He’s just outside of DRS behind Piastri.
Kieran Jackson23 November 2025 04:24
Piastri cleared (Lap 8/50)
No further investigation on the Piastri-Lawson clash. Phew, for Oscar.
He’s still struggling for speed in P6.
Out in front, Verstappen has staved off that attack from Russell and is outside the DRS range.
Norris, however, is 2.9 seconds off second-place now.
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson23 November 2025 04:18
Russell within DRS on Verstappen (Lap 5/50)
Russell has closed a gap on lap 2 of 1.5 seconds to now be within a second, at 0.7 seconds.
Can the Mercedes make a move stick on his arch rival?
Norris is two seconds off Russell, with Piastri down in sixth struggling behind Isack Hadjar – he’s 1.8 seconds behind.
Top-10: Verstappen, Russell, Norris, Sainz, Hadjar, Piastri, Leclerc, Bearman, Alonso, Hulkenberg
Kieran Jackson23 November 2025 04:14
Stroll and Bortoleto out (Lap 5/50)
Bortoleto absolutely smashed into Stroll at turn 1 – and both are out!
Revenge from the Brazilian for the last race! He’s certain to get a penalty, me thinks..
Kieran Jackson23 November 2025 04:13
Piastri and Lawson noted by race control (Lap 4/50)
As if it couldn’t get any worse for Oscar Piastri, the Australian is under investigation for a turn 1 incident.
I believe that’s how he lost his places – he is up from seventh to sixth now, an overtake occurring on lap 2.
Kieran Jackson23 November 2025 04:10
Hamilton up to 12th (Lap 2/50)
Seven places for Lewis Hamilton at the start!
And with debris on the track, the virtual safety car is called!
Top-10: Verstappen, Russell, Norris, Sainz, Hadjar, Piastri, Bearman, Leclerc, Alonso, Gasly
Kieran Jackson23 November 2025 04:08
Verstappen takes the lead!
Nightmare start for both McLarens!
Norris sweeps across ahead of turn 1 at the start but goes deep, off the track!
Russell then takes second place around the outside at turn 3 – Norris down to third!
But Oscar Piastri has dropped places too, he’s down to seventh!
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson23 November 2025 04:06
