Not that we are known for hyperbole, but providing conditions do not deteriorate further and the FIA doesn't over react (again) today has all the makings of a classic.
Other than the fight up front, with Norris and Antonelli - joined, courtesy of circumstance - by the likes of Lawson, Hulkenberg and Bearman, we have two veteran, multi-champions at the very back of the field seeking to work their way through to the front. Not forgetting the likes of Alonso, whose Samurai sprit always rises in such conditions.
A brief glance at any app today showed just one icon for the entire day, rain, and so it came to be. However, unlike yesterday, thus far it is more of a fine rain not the deluge witnessed on Saturday.
Other than the penalties that have already turned the grid on its head, and in some ways brought about the sort of revers grid beloved of some, having taken on new engine components overnight, Bortoleto and Lindblad are now demoted also. For the Brazilian the ten-place penalty isn't that severe, but for the RB driver who was starting from 12th...
As a reminder, Russell, Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc and Hamilton all took penalties, and as a result the starting order is now: Norris, Antonelli, Lawson, Hulkenberg, Hadjar, Bearman, Russell, Alonso, Albon and Piastri.
With Camara starting eleventh, ahead of Sainz, Colapinto, Leclerc, Gasly, Stroll, Bottas, Lindblad, Bortoleto, Hamilton, Verstappen and Perez.
Of course, in 2024 the Dutchman started from 17th and went on to win, while a year later he finished third after starting in the pitlane. In 2021, Hamilton won from 10th, overtaking title rival Verstappen in the process. The previous day, having taken pole for the Sprint, he had been disqualified for a DRS infringement, and started the 'mini me' race from the back but went on to win. Understandably, the seven-time world champion regards Sunday's race as the best of his career.
It is no longer raining, but the air is damp and it is nippy and overcast, there will be further rain, it simply remains to be seen when and how intense.
If, in the unlikely event that it remains as it is, dry, a two-stop is the preferred option, featuring two stints on soft and one on medium. This combination is estimated to offer an advantage of around three seconds over strategies involving all three available compounds. Using the hard tyre alongside two soft stints would result in a further increase in overall race time.
The lower temperatures, combined with the less grippy track, could further favour the softer compounds, which provide greater grip and come up to temperature more quickly. A one-stop strategy appears significantly less competitive, with an estimated race time around ten seconds slower than the optimum two-stop approach. In this context, the undercut could prove decisive, particularly for drivers switching to a softer compound, as they would be able to exploit the immediate gain in grip to make up track position.
However, if, as anticipated, the Weather Gods are out to have some fun, all bets are off.
As the pitlane opens, the air temperature is 16 degrees C, while the track temperature is 36 degrees, cooler than at any previous point this weekend. Furthermore, it has just started raining.
Bearman is first out, followed by Verstappen, Russell, Bortoleto and Hulkenberg. As more drivers emerge, all are on Inters.
Antonelli is off the track at the infamous Turn 12 and struggling to extricate from the muddy grass run-off.
"Wow man, it's undrivable," he declares as he makes it back on to tarmac.
Hulkenberg is to be investigated for a practice start infringement.
Though fairly light, the rain continues and as a result the teams are allowed to assemble awnings on the grid.
Hadjar, Bottas, Stroll and Perez have also been noted for practice start infringements, and will be investigated post-race.
As the national anthem is sung, the rain has stopped. Nonetheless, Russell doesn't believe that we'll see slicks today.
At Cadillac, the mechanics are unable to remove the right-rear wheel on Bottas's car.
Risk of rain is 80% confirms Race Control.
As Bottas is pushed into the pitlane, he is on Inters, as is the rest of the grid.
They head off on the formation lap, all getting away. However, Norris is at Turn 10, before Perez enters Turn 1.
"A lot drier than I expected," reports Alonso.
The grid forms as work continues on Bottas's Cadillac in the pits.
They're away! Norris and Antonelli both get away well, but then the McLaren appears to trail off allowing the Mercedes to pull away. Indeed, as the 2026 world champion leads the field into Turn 2, Lawson is alongside Norris, and is ahead as they filter through Turn 3.
Further back, Hamilton has made a blistering start, passing numerous cars on the run to Turn 1 and then going around the outside of a couple more in Turns 2 and 3. Indeed, exiting Turn 3 he is alongside his Ferrari teammate with Bearman ahead.
However, in Turn 5 he runs wide, rejoining ahead of the Haas, as Leclerc continues to lose ground.
At the end of Lap 1, it's: Antonelli, Lawson, Norris, Hadjar, Russell, Hulkenberg, Albon, Piastri, Hamilton and Bearman.
Hamilton is all over Piastri, as Verstappen is up to 11th and Leclerc still in 15th.
Albon has been noted for a false start.
Verstappen passes Bearman for tenth, and is now right behind Hamilton.
However, Verstappen has been noted for a false start.
Piastri, Hamilton and Verstappen are in a train behind Albon. A mistake by the Ferrari driver allows Verstappen through. Leclerc is up to 14th.
"The rear tyres are going off," reports Hamilton.
No further investigation over Albon's start.
Out front, Antonelli leads by 2.9s.
Verstappen passes Piastri but overdoes it and the Australian reclaims the position. However, the Red Bull driver persists and passes both Piastri and Albon in one move.
To add to his satisfaction, Verstappen is no longer under investigation for that start.
Hamilton has been noted for leaving the track and gaining an advantage - this goes back to the opening lap and his move on Bearman.
Lawson and Norris battle for second, the RB driver clearly struggling for grip. Having lost out to the McLaren, Lawson is then passed by Hadjar also.
Antonelli is told to search out the wet patches.
Piastri is up to eighth and Leclerc to thirteenth.
Russell passes Lawson as Race Control advises that Hamilton is under investigation.
Verstappen passes Hulkenberg for sixth, as Hamilton allows Bearman through to claim tenth, thereby avoiding an almost certain penalty.
Piastri passes Hulkenberg for seventh, as Leclerc closes on Hamilton who has lost out to Lindblad.
Antonelli leads Norris by 4.7s with Hadjar a further 3.4s behind.
As the Ferrari pair battle, Hamilton reports that it is not far from being slicks time.
Leclerc passes Hamilton, with Alonso also passing the struggling Briton shortly after.
sign in