Anyone else get the impression that we are witnessing a read through of the script for F1 The Movie 7?

Let's face it, we came into the weekend wondering how much of a further bite Max might take out of Oscar's lead, and whether McLaren, aware of the increasing threat, might finally give the order for repercussions, or is it consequences, to be deployed.

Instead, we have the Dutchman at sixes and sevens, wholly downhearted with his car, Oscar slipping further and further into the abyss, Lando looking cool, calm and confident and Ferrari finally looking threatening.

Of course, how it actually plays out remains to be seen, but other than the fact that the four-time world champion is genuinely struggling there is the big question of what on earth has happened to Oscar?

Today Lando has the opportunity to close the gap to his teammate, and in order to do that he needs to start by holding off the field on the run to Turn 1, and that isn't going to be easy. The Ferrari pair are looking good and Lewis seems particularly confident, teammate Charles admitting that he is envious of the Briton due to the tow he is likely to pick up from Lando on the run to the first corner.

Even though Mercedes is unhappy with fourth and sixth - are they ever happy - George and Kimi will be in the mix, albeit (hopefully) under threat from Max and Oscar.

Sainz qualified well but drops 5 places due to the clash with Kimi last weekend, however he should be able to bring home a decent haul even though his teammate is struggling.

Isack and Oliver complete the top ten and both should finish in the points.

As ever, much will depend on that long run to Turn 1, and then the ability to get through it unscathed.

Other than track limits, especially difficult here due to the dusty nature of the track and the thin air, cooling is likely to be an issue, and the recent run of races with barely any retirements may well come to an end today.

With no drivers having saved two sets of mediums, it is effectively clear that a one-stop strategy will be the most popular choice. The medium has proved to be the most versatile compound this weekend and starting on it opens up a couple of options at least.

If drivers can extend their first stint to a window between laps 42 and 48, they could fit softs to go to the flag. On the other hand, if the medium performance drop is too high, a switch to the hard compound between laps 26 and 32 is possible.

Starting on the soft could give an initial advantage in terms of grip, but the heavy fuel load would require the driver to manage their race pace. In this situation, a shift to the medium would come between laps 23 and 29, or if the hard is preferred, between laps 20 and 26.

Finally, in theory, one can also look at a two-stop strategy, running soft-medium-soft, which produces a similar overall race time to the one-stop. However, the disadvantage of losing places after the pit stops, and the difficulty in overtaking here, means this is really only viable on paper.

Of the big guns, only Norris and Leclerc have a fresh set of softs, as does Tsunoda, while all have one fresh set of mediums and hards.

The championship isn't going to be settled today - FOM and the sport's various partners wouldn't allow it - but some questions might get answered, then again many more might be raised.

The performance of the Red Bull here thus far is a relative one-off, Piastri's apparent slump quite another matter.

The pitlane opens and Hadjar leads the way, followed by Piastri, Gasly, Albon and Colapinto.

"I need to change helmet, too much air coming in through the visor," reports Hadjar.

Lock-ups for Russell and Piastri.

"Drink keep leaking," reports Verstappen, "I have to chew on the tube."

As the pitlane closes, the last to take their place on the grid is Antonelli.

Ahead of the formation lap, the air temperature is 26 degrees C, while the track temperature is 53 degrees, the hottest it's been all weekend, which should add some further spice.

All are on softs bar Verstappen, Hadjar, Tsunoda, Sainz, Bortoleto and Gasly who are on mediums and Albon and Colapinto on mediums. Fresh rubber for all bar Hamilton, Russell, Antonelli, Piastri and Bearman. Strange to see Verstappen on the mediums.

Norris leads the field away on the formation lap, the crowd roars as they all get away cleanly.

As the grid forms Colapinto is some way behind.

The grid forms.

They're away! Norris gets a brilliant start, while Leclerc moves across to block Hamilton. Verstappen has got away well and is alongside Russell and right behind the Ferraris.

As they head towards Turn 1, behind Norris, Hamilton, Leclerc and Verstappen are three abreast. The Dutchman runs wide and onto the grass and having run out of room completely misses the first corner and runs wide.

Leclerc also runs wide and rejoins in front of Norris, as Russel is forced wide as is Lawson who appears to clout one of the Williams.

Leclerc slows and yields the lead to Norris in Turn 4, while Verstappen is up to third. However, Hamilton passes the Red Bul, the two cars touching in the process as at the back of the field Stroll spins.

Absolute mayhem.

"Verstappen cut the corner, he needs to give the position back," claims Russell.

"I got squeezed like crazy," says Verstappen.

At the end of Lap 1, it's: Norris, Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Russell, Bearman, Antonelli, Tsunoda, Piastri and Ocon.

The stewards say that the Lap 1 incident has been noted, but which one, there were so many to choose from.

Lawson pits at the end of Lap 2 for a new front wing.

"It's ridiculous," complains Russell, "guys can just cut the grass."

Piastri is all over Tsunoda in the battle for 8th.

Out front, leading by 1.6s, Norris posts a new fastest lap (22.450).

On Lap 6, Verstappen makes a move on Hamilton in Turn 1, they touch and Verstappen runs wide over the grass. There's another incident at Turn 4 which sees both lock-up, and while Verstappen loses pace Hamilton runs wide and has to use the escape road.

In the melee Bearman takes advantage and passes Verstappen for fourth..

Hamilton has been noted for failing to follow the escape road instructions.

Lawson has retired.

"What are they doing about people who took advantage in Turn 1," asks Hamilton.

At which point it is confirmed that Verstappen and Hamilton have been noted for causing a collision.