RACE START: Watch the start of the Abu Dhabi finale as Verstappen holds lead before Piastri improves to second

Max Verstappen confidently held onto the lead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix before Drivers' Championship leader Lando Norris was relegated to third following an extraordinary overtake by his team mate Oscar Piastri later in the opening lap.

McLaren opted to split the tyre strategy and put Norris on mediums, like Verstappen, and Piastri on hards, but the Australian's launch at lights out was strong enough for him to stick close to his fellow title contenders ahead.

While the Red Bull driver darted across to claim the inside line at Turn 1, the top three stayed as they were until Piastri executed an audacious pass around the outside of Norris in the final sector to improve to second by the end of the opening lap.

Further behind, George Russell dropped back to P6 heading down to the first corner, ending up behind the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc who was forced to defend from Fernando Alonso and narrowly cling onto fourth place.

Click go on the video player above to watch all the action from the opening lap in Abu Dhabi.