The climax in the desert has begun. Oscar Piastri opted for the hard tyre, while Lando Norris and Max Verstappen started on the medium. Verstappen made an excellent start and maintained the lead. Norris managed to hold onto his second place in the opening phase, but was soon overtaken by Piastri in turn 9, allowing the Australian to take second place.
Charles Leclerc moved up to fourth place, with Fernando Alonso in P5 and George Russell falling back to P6. Meanwhile, Leclerc is putting immediate pressure on Lando Norris for third place.
