The position changes among the top four at the start phase are now settled.
During this phase, Qin Miao showed a bit more cunning, but fortunately, all got off to a smooth start without any accidents.
Next, they all headed downhill to T4.
Leclerc relied on the straight-line acceleration and top speed of his car, attempting to overtake Verstappen from the outside.
However, Verstappen's cornering skills were clearly superior, preventing Leclerc from succeeding.
But Qin Miao seized this opportunity.
As Leclerc's front wing extended to the outside, Qin Miao braked tightly behind Verstappen's car's rear diffuser.
The closest distance between the W14 and RB19 was about one meter.
With Qin Miao's exceptional late braking, he managed to stay tight behind Verstappen entering and exiting the corner.
Though he was pulled apart by Verstappen after the corner, Qin Miao completed a side-by-side maneuver with Leclerc in T4!
T4 is a long right turn, and Qin Miao was on the inside line.
