Verstappen learns FIA verdict after tricky Safety Car moment with Russell

The rule has been in place since 2021, following the infamous incident between Verstappen and Hamilton at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, making it clear that drivers are no longer allowed to pull alongside another car during a Safety Car period.

However, after reviewing the incident, the FIA deemed that no further action was necessary, clearing the Dutchman of any potential sanction.

As for the race itself, Russell controlled proceedings from the front after making a clean getaway from pole, while Piastri initially moved ahead of Leclerc to take second. Verstappen was the main protagonist in the opening laps, charging through the field and picking off Norris, Leclerc and his team-mate before eventually getting past Piastri to move into second.

The McLaren driver had resisted strongly for several laps, repeatedly extending through the middle sector and creating a train that also brought Hadjar and Leclerc into the fight.

Further back, Antonelli struggled to make immediate progress through the traffic but eventually worked his way into the top 10 before the first round of pit stops. Hamilton also won his battle with Norris for sixth, while Aston Martin suffered another difficult afternoon, with Stroll retiring in the opening laps and Alonso joining him on the sidelines on lap 22.

The race was then transformed by Albon's crash on lap 31, which brought out the Safety Car and gave the leaders the chance to pit. Antonelli made the most of the opportunity, gaining a position on Norris to move into eighth.

The restart produced even more drama, with Colapinto missing his braking point and triggering a chain reaction that eliminated both Alpine cars and Norris. Contact between the two Racing Bulls then prompted another Safety Car period.

After the second restart, Verstappen overtook Piastri for second at Turn 1, before Piastri made a costly mistake while defending against Hadjar and ran wide, dropping to the back of the field. Hadjar inherited third, while Russell remained firmly in control at the front. The Mercedes driver kept Verstappen at bay until the chequered flag to claim victory, with Hadjar completing the podium and Antonelli recovering brilliantly to fifth.