2024 F1 Belgian Grand Prix - Race as it happened

Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Verstappen, Norris, Sainz, Perez, Albon and Ocon.

"We are very slow on the straights," he reports.

Verstappen now has Norris for close company - the McLaren driver is now in DRS range. 

Perez rejoins in eighth on a set of the hards, giving Verstappen crucial clean air.

Russell finally gets past Perez down to Les Combes for fourth on the road. The Mexican now has his teammate for close company. 

Sainz finally comes in from the lead of the race. He rejoins in eighth on the mediums.

He's told: "There's a very long way to go Max, just need that patience."

Sainz, Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Perez,  Russell, Verstappen, Norris, Magnussen, Albon, Ricciardo, Alonso, Ocon, Hulkenberg, Gasly, Bottas, Stroll, Sargeant and Tsunoda.

On Lap 16, Norris finally comes into the pit lane for a new set of hards. He rejoins in eighth, a few seconds behind Verstappen.

Sainz started on the hards - which is why he hasn't stopped yet. Norris is still running on the mediums. 

Sainz, Norris, Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Perez, Russell, Verstappen, Magnussen and Tsunoda.

Piastri breezes past Perez into Les Combes with the use of DRS. He has Hamilton and Leclerc ahead of him.

Sainz and Norris haven't stopped at the front. 

He rejoins ahead of Perez, Piastri and Perez. 

Hamilton, Perez and Piastri all come into the pit lane to cover off Russell and Verstappen.

No major changes to the order though. 

Russell and Verstappen have pulled the trigger on Lap 11 as they come into the pit lane fore fresh tyres. 

Hamilton, Leclerc, Perez, Piastri, Russell, Sainz, Norris, Verstappen, Alonso, Ocon, Bottas, Stroll, Magnussen, Tsunoda, Albon, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, Gasly and Sargeant. 

Hamilton has extended his lead over Leclerc to 1.8s, while Perez is 2.2s behind the Ferrari driver. 

Hulkenberg is the first driver into the pit lane at the end of Lap 7. This will encourage some of the other midfield drivers to stop.

Great pace from Hamilton up front as he's pulled over one second ahead of Leclerc, meaning the Ferrari doesn't have DRS to use.

Perez has dropped off in third, 1.6s behind Leclerc.

The current top 10 has remained the same with Hamilton leading from Leclerc, Perez, Piastri, Russell, Sainz, Norris, Versrappen, Alonso and Albon.

A problem for Zhou. He's going slowly here. He's going to try and get it back into the pit lane to avoid there being a Safety Car.

Hamilton leads the race after overtaking Leclerc into Les Combes with the use of DRS.

Leclerc, Hamilton, Perez, Piastri, Russell, Sainz, Norris, Verstappen, Alonso and Albon.

Leclerc maintains his lead down the long straight into Les Combes, while Hamilton is ahead of Perez.

A horrid start for Norris, losing a couple of positions to Russell and Sainz.