Before that crash, the win regarded to be between Piastri and Russell.
Antonelli made a sluggish begin and dropped to the again of the highest six as Piastri swept into the lead, and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Lando Norris additionally handed Russell.
Piastri held the lead confidently as Russell moved previous Norris and Leclerc into second place by lap 4.
Russell tracked Piastri inside a second for a number of laps after which overtook him into the chicane on lap eight, just for the McLaren to transfer again previous down the pit straight at the beginning of the next lap.
Russell was by no means as shut once more and Piastri’s confidence started to construct, and he acquired on to the radio to his crew to say he felt that he may maintain on to the win if they may maintain him within the lead by way of the pit stops.
Leclerc began the pit cease interval on lap 17, Piastri following him in a lap later and Russell three laps after that.
Piastri was proved proper as Russell got here out of the pits behind the McLaren. Meanwhile, Antonelli – who had moved previous Hamilton however no additional after the beginning – cycled up into the lead.
Bearman’s crash occurred virtually straight afterwards and Russell instantly knew the implications as he noticed the protection automobile indicators alight across the observe.
Piastri misplaced out, too, on what may have been a victory had he managed to maintain on forward of Russell, as the remainder of the race recommended he would have.
But a second place lastly will get the Australian’s season off the bottom, and offers McLaren their first 2026 podium, after he had failed to begin the primary two races.
