It was Verstappen’s sixth win in nine races this year but it was far from the foregone conclusion of grands prix at the start of the season.
The last 11 laps started finely poised, after Mercedes pitted Russell and Hamilton for fresh tyres under the safety car, giving both drivers a 10-lap advantage on their tyre wear over Verstappen and the McLarens in front.
But just as Russell was beginning to mount a challenge on the McLarens, with Norris and Piastri running nose to tail, he was a touch ambitious in trying to pass Piastri on the outside of the final chicane and he was forced on to the run-off area.
That dropped him behind behind Hamilton, who soon passed Piastri and himself looked briefly set for a charge towards the front.
But Russell fought back to pass Piastri and then Hamilton, who was given hard tyres rather than the mediums on Russell’s car, with three laps to go.
More to follow
