#Fluke test leads update#

Lap 24/53: Russell pits for Hards to see out the race, he comes out behind Sainz but ahead of Norris - de facto third place. The gap is ten seconds between the leaders. Into the pits comes Verstappen with Mediums strapped on for the final 27 laps. We could be set for a thrilling run to the finish as diverging strategies collide. Lap 30/53: Sainz still sits third and wants a final run on the Softs, Russell sat behind him hardly delighted with the Hard tyre. Indeed, it is the Soft tyre favoured for Sainz to finish the race on - he returns to the track eighth and just behind Perez. The Red Bull will have ample time to catch and overtake the Ferrari.īad times for Alpine meanwhile, Alonso ends his race by pulling into the garage with an issue. Lap 33/53: So, 20 laps to go and the gap is just 6.3 seconds between Leclerc and Verstappen. Lap 36/63: Leclerc is on the quicker, fresher tyre but has to make up over a second per lap - at least - to win this race.Ī big cheer from the tifosi as Sainz overtakes Perez.Īnd Leclerc pits! Softs go on, Verstappen takes the lead, and 2.6 seconds later he departs to restart his race in second and comfortably ahead of Russell. but then comes through Hamilton! A sterling move by the Brit grabs him seventh place. The McLaren and AlphaTauri scrap into the chicance. Zhou is on his tail.Ī slow stop for Norris as the McLaren finally pits, he comes out right amongst Ricciardo’s fight with Gasly for sixth. Soon after, Norris gets his teammate for seventh.īehind them, De Vries in the Williams hoping for a first-ever F1 point in his first-ever F1 race. Lap 37/63: Next time around, Hamilton and Norris get Ricciardo and Gasly respectively.

A long, long way up the road is Verstappen.

Lap 41/53: Stroll becomes the third driver, and the second Aston Martin, to retire the race as he limps into the pits.Ī fastest lap for Leclerc shaves his disadvantage down to 19.2 seconds.

#Fluke test leads update#

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That drops the Mexican from fifth to seventh, Hamilton and Norris coming through. Perez drops in for Softs as the last ten laps begin. Red Bull look to be ready for a pit stop. The big fight is for ninth: Gasly, De Vries, Zhou and Ocon all within a couple of seconds. Looking across the pack, Sainz is nine off Russell for the final podium spot and will hope for a late lunge, with only really Perez (four seconds off Norris in sixth) looking likely to push for some late action. Lap 46/53: Verstappen’s lead is down to a hardly nerve-shattering 16.9 seconds. Nine cars will have to unlap themselves before we restart - and there is not long left. Verstappen, Leclerc, Russell and Sainz all pit. It feels difficult to see how we get anymore racing today. Lap 50/53: That stranded McLaren has gone nowhere fast. We have a tractor on track to haul up Ricciardo’s car and carry it off but they have to wait for the safety car and the entire pack to pass by first.

Lap 52/53: Hard to argue with seeing this race out under the safety car.Ī red flag to clear the track and set up a fun finish would be far-too-Abu-Dhabi-2021-y. CHEQUERED FLAG!įerrari tell Leclerc the race will finish under the safety car.