F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2023 - LIVE UPDATES!

The order: SAI, RUS, NOR, HAM, LEC, OCO, ALO, GAS, PIA, LAW, HUL, ALB, ZHO, MAG, VER, SAR, PER, BOT.

The top four are as close as ever now, as Russell is told to push on Sainz.

A big mention to Liam Lawson in P10, who could score his maiden F1 points.

Russell has closed the gap on Sainz to under a second, as it looks like he's ready to launch an attack.

Red Bull's hopes must be over now, as Verstappen is finally brought in for new tyres and comes out in P15.

Ocon has had a fantastic few laps, with a sweet switchback to overtake Perez.

The Red Bull is losing places hand over fist now, with Alonso and Gasly both overtaking him on track before he's brought into the pits.

"Sainz reporting he still has a second of pace in hand", says Russell's engineer.

"I'm surprised he didn't say two!", replies Russell.

Alonso looks to have taken P7 off Perez, who comes back at Alonso to take it back!

Ocon then takes advantage of the scrap, snatching P8 off Alonso, as Gasly now closes up on the trio...

The Haas is moving very slowly, dropping down to P15.

The Dane will be dissapointed after starting the race in P6!

LAP 31/62: Halfway and we've got a tasty top 5 

Sainz
Russell
Norris
Hamilton
Leclerc #F1#SingaporeGPpic.twitter.com/sSBfjARMSf

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 17, 2023

Sainz, Russell, Norris, Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Perez, Alonso, Ocon, Magnussen.

Perez has Alonso right on his tail, with both Red Bulls driving on ice right now. 

"I want to go for this win", says Russell on the radio. 

Lap 33 means we are past half-way in this tantilising Singapore Grand Prix.

We potentially have a four-way race for the lead on our hands, with just a couple of seconds separating Sainz, Russell, Norris and Hamilton.

This is what a lot have been longing for in F1 in 2023!

"Keep an eye on these tyres", says Russell's engineer.

"These will go to the end comfortably, especially how Sainz is driving. He's just managing big time", replies George.

Russell realises Sainz is backing him up, as Norris is now just a second behind the Mercedes.

The Spaniard still seems comfortable in the lead.

Leclerc quickly sees off Verstappen for P5, as Perez in P7 leads a huge DRS train all the way down to P14.

Still under a second seperating Sainz and Russell. The Spaniard must be in two minds of clearing Russell and backing him up, as told by his engineers.

Meanwhile, Hamilton clears Verstappen for P4, who now has Leclerc on his tail.

Red Bull are in trouble - if they pit anytime soon they will tumble down the order. 

Right then, here's the order on lap 26:

SAI, RUS, NOR, VER, HAM, LEC, PER, ALO, OCO, MAG, GAS, PIA, LAW, HUL, ALB, ZHO, BOT, SAR.

In the thick of all the action, Alonso is given a five second penalty for crossing the line on pit entry.

DRS is enabled as Russell sits within a second of Sainz, who is told to back the pack up so the Mercedes cannot do a two-stop.

The championship leader loses another place on his worn tyres, this time to Lando Norris!

Norris looks to take P4 off Perez, and Leclerc narrowly misses the McLaren in the action!

Leclerc loses a place to Hamilton, meanwhile Russell looks to get past Verstappen!

Finally, Norris and Hamilton do get past Perez while Russell takes P2 back off Max!

Sainz gets us going again and no one swaps places!

Hold your breath, the restart is imminent...

Sainz pits and still leads. Verstappen stays out and is in P2.

Russell also pits and is in P3, ahead of Perez who also stayed out.

Norris pitted and is in P5 as well as Leclerc in P6, who has suffered greatly from a double stack.

Hamilton, Alonso, Ocon and Bottas make up the rest of the top 10. They're all on the hard tyre. 

Lots of cars coming in looking to take advantage!