Engineer: "Stop the car, hydraulic issue."

Lance Stroll comes to a stop a turn two.

And thus we now have a virtual safety car.

Ooh er.

1. George Russell (Mercedes)

2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

Kimi Antonelli shows a bit too much speed into turn one and goes into the gravel and through the first chicane.

Max Verstappen, in pursuit in third, will be licking his lips at that.

We're at half distance here and less than 10 seconds separates the top five. What a race.

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Should they let George Russell try and build some sort of lead on the hard tyre as they've just told Kimi Antonelli? Or should they scrap that and let the young Italian lead this Italian Grand Prix and go for an audacious victory?

Image source, Getty Images

Engineer: "George had been given the message to build the gap to Verstappen. If he can't do that then we will invert."

Alex Lynn
British racing driver on Sports Extra 2

Here is the reality, George obviously needs to beat Kimi, but Max Verstappen, a very aggressive racer is sitting there in third pace. For me we need to try and bring him back into the race someone to make sure it is not a straight Mercedes one-two, in George's eyes, because he needs to try and put a buffer between him and his team-mate.

This Mercedes battle is now aiding Max Verstappen again.

The Dutchman was almost two seconds behind and now he's only a second or so behind.

Strangely - at least in the shape of this race - we see a lap where the lead doesn't change. And George Russell maintains his position at the front.

Engineer: "Stop yoyo-ing. Let's build the gap."

Antonelli: "Yeah right and then he can pass me. Do you want me to sit behind or what?"

Another lap. Another George Russell overtake into the lead of this race from Kimi Antonelli after the first chicane.

Only the difference is this time, he makes it stick for more than just a couple of corners.

The Mercedes pair are determined to keep on racing.

Alex Lynn
British racing driver on Sports Extra 2

This is a precarious position for George because he does need to beat his team-mate today. He does not want to be standing on that podium listening to the Italian national anthem for his Italian team-mate, that will be a big hammer blow, not going his way. For me today, he does need to try and beat him.

Lorraine McKenna
BBC Sport Journalist at Monza

An Italian hasn't won at Monza since Ludovico Scarfiotti took victory for Ferrari in 1966, so it's hard not to get swept up in the excitement here.

Kimi Antonelli's pass on Mercedes team-mate George Russell was celebrated wildly by the Italians. Can Antonelli actually win his home grand prix after starting 19th on the grid?

And right on cue, coming out of the Parabolica and with the momentum into the starting straight, George Russell takes the lead from Kimi Antonelli again!

But can he make it stick? No he can't! And Antonelli grabs the position back with a classy move shortly after.

My head's spinning here. The lead's changed hands a ridiculous amount so far in this race.

Image source, Getty Images

Alex Lynn
British racing driver on Sports Extra 2

George needs to do something, he needs to react, he needs to get the lead back. Today was an opportunity to score big points against his title rival. Ok, that is looking unlikely now but at the very least he needs to try and beat him at his home race, for me it is a must today.

Max Verstappen's out of this battle for first for now it seems.

He's almost two seconds behind the two Mercedes, who are in a world of their own right now.

Every time they go into Parabolica, George Russell's gaining so much ground on Kimi Antonelli.

George Russell takes the lead back from Kimi Antonelli into turn one but it would appear he's told to give the place back as the Italian regains P1 at a canter soon after.

Russell's not giving up this fight.

Rebecca Clancy
F1 journalist on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

If Antonelli ends up winning this race, it will be the second furthest back anyone has come from to win a grand prix.

The furthest back was John Watson back in 1983, Long Beach Grand Prix, when he started 22nd. Antonelli started in 19th.

Blimey, it's three into turn one at the start of lap 19!

Kimi Antonelli didn't manage to build much of a lead after taking P1 and he has George Russell and Max Verstappen behind him, baying for that top spot.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri are trading positions with the latter currently holding fourth place for the time being.

Image source, Getty Images

Kimi Antonelli leads the Italian Grand Prix!

He makes a simple overtake on George Russell into turn one at the start of lap 18. What a drive from the young Italian who started in 19th place!