The 23-year-old shaved about half a second a lap out of Raikkonen's lead and was within two seconds of the Ferrari by lap 31.

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But Perez looked to be the faster and set for his maiden victory until he overshot a corner on lap 50 out of 56.

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Being able to lap flat out, and being forced to because of the fight with the Red Bulls, McLaren were giving fuel consumption warnings to their drivers as early as the 30th lap - just over half distance.

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