There was a bit of a reshuffle from the end of Qualifying to the race start with different penalties awarded.  Off the start and around the first lap, there was lots of overtaking.  The most interesting race start for a long time.  Hamilton got ahead of Alonso straight away and Russell looked pushy too.  LeClerc overtook Albon, who I hoped wouldn't be going too far backwards.  Magnussen was pushed off.

Sargeant was given a "critical message" to stop the car and find a marshal.  This brought out the Virtual Safety Car.  Once they were back going, Verstappen, bored out front, created a new sport, where he earnt extra points by hitting sea gulls.  It wasn't much longer until a proper Safety Car came out, as Russell hit the wall and left a lot of debris across the track.  It was a good time to take a pit stop, Verstappen in first and then Hamilton released into Alonso.  The Spaniard really hammed up how bad it was with lots of sawing on the steering wheel.  Norris into his pal Albon too.  Obviously the Ferraris didn't pit.

A third of the way through, old foes Alonso and Hamilton started battling with Alonso retaking his second place.

After looking at a number of possible infringements, the stewards decided to throw the book at Norris for unsportsmanlike driving.  He had been backing up the pack.  His 5 second penalty gave several drivers a boost up the final standings.

It was a good race behind Verstappen.  Alonso had to save fuel through lifting and coasting but was determined to push and try to win the race.  Russell had been given some new bits of car and got back up to 8th position, which was a good job but had to retire the car eventually evincing more apologies.  Mick Schumacher watched on with envy in his eyes.  He reminds me of lady's companions in murder mysteries of a certain vintage.  Following Toto around dutifully and agreeing with everything he says in hopes of scraps from the table.

Obviously, Verstappen was the winner, with Alonso then Hamilton behind him.  Albon took Driver of the Day, finishing 7th having held up Ocon and Norris, who battled to the very end.  Hamilton had held Fastest Lap for most of the race so Red Bull sent Perez in for fresh tires to steal it.  We found out that Alonso had nursed a problem and probably could have been on for a potential win.  The Ferraris were 4th and 5th, with Sainz told not to fight LeClerc.  The Haas's, who had been Qualifying heroes, were 15th and 17th.  Alonso's Canadian team mate Stroll finished 8th and the crowd was hardly a sea of green, so he's being shown up more and more by his geriatric team mate.