F1 Qatar Grand Prix 2023 - As it happened

Replays show Alonso going off the track at Turn 15. Disaster for the Spaniard in his battle with Russell and Leclerc.

Mercedes are targeting fourth today for Russell. 

Perez comes in to serve his five-second time penalty.

He rejoins down in 12th.

Verstappen, Russell, Perez, Piastri, Albon, Zhou, Norris, Alonso, Bottas, Stroll, Leclerc, Ocon, Gasly, Magnussen, Tsunoda, Lawson, Hulkenberg and Sargeant.

Great work from McLaren - Norris has been able to overcut Alonso for third-place effectively.

Five-second penalty for Perez for track limits.

He's under investigation for track limits... 5s penalty is on its way.

Piastri, Leclerc and Ocon are all in for fresh rubber.

Verstappen, Piastri, Alonso, Norris, Leclerc, Ocon, Russell, Gasly, Perez, Albon, Sargeant, Zhou, Hulkenberg, Bottas, Stroll, Magnussen, Tsunoda and Lawson.

"I don't think George had anywhere to go... I'm happy to take responsibility."

Norris passes Stroll now. Next up for the McLaren driver is Bottas, who is likely to pit very soon.

Verstappen is currently 7.5s ahead of Piastri.

Alonso is 4.1s off the Australian in third.

Norris overtakes Leclerc into Turn 1 for sixth. Good move from the McLaren driver.

Albon, Verstappen, Zhou, Piastri, Bottas, Stroll, Alonso, Leclerc, Norris, Ocon, Magnussen, Gasly, Lawson, Russell, Tsunoda, Perez and Sargeant.

Verstappen and Perez have stopped for fresh rubber.

The reigning world champion comes out in second behind Albon.

Verstappen comes in first his first pit stop of the evening on Lap 17.

Order: Verstappen, Albon, Perez, Zhou, Bottas, Stroll, Piastri, Magnussen, Alonso, Lawson, Leclerc, Norris, Ocon, Gasly, Tsunoda, Sargeant, Hulkenberg.

Norris is the next driver to come in for fresh rubber. He overcuts Ocon and rejoins just behind Leclerc.

Alonso has managed to overtake Leclerc after the pit stop phase, with the Ferrari driver getting his tyres up to temperature. 

Piastri and Leclerc come into the pit lane for fresh rubber now. Medium tyres for both.

Alonso is in the pit lane for mediums - a 2.3s pit stop for the Spaniard.

Others will surely be stopping soon.

Verstappen's lead over Piastri is up to 2.3s, who in turn is 2.8s clear of Alonso.

He's up to 11th now - overtaking Sargeant and Zhou. Wouldn't rule him out of a big points haul just yet.

Verstappen, Piastri, Alonso, Leclerc, Ocon, Norris, Gasly, Hulkenberg, Tsunoda, Albon, Sargeant, Zhou, Russell, Perez, Bottas, Magnussen, Stroll and Lawson.