On the second lap, Sainz passed the world champion’s Red Bull to take the lead, and after just four circuits, the Dutchman had to withdraw due to a brake malfunction.
After that, the Spaniard gained control of the race when Leclerc overtook Lando Norris of McLaren at the opening pit stop.
A virtual safety car stopped the race after a collision involving George Russell.
The Mercedes driver was chasing Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin for sixth place when he lost control at Turn Six on the last lap. The left front wheel of the vehicle helped to keep it upright when it came to rest on its side.
After Alonso and Russell were summoned to the stewards’ office, the Spaniard was given three penalty points on his license and a 20-second penalty, dropping him to eighth place for driving “in a manner that was at very least ‘potentially dangerous’ given the very high speed nature of that point of the track,” according to the news.
Alonso acknowledged that he should have slowed down sooner and then accelerated once more before applying the brakes, but he claimed that his strategy was “slightly wrong.”.
