Sainz started the race from the first place, but lost to Verstappen (Red Bull) in the first corner. After the collision, the following laps were completed behind the safety car.
In the ninth lap, Sainz regained the leading position from Verstappen, and in the continuation of the Dutchman fighting with Norris (McLaren), the second “Ferrari” pilot, Charles Leclair, became the vice-leader. In the fight with Norris, Verstappen was given two ten-second penalties for forcing his rival to go off the track a couple of times, which caused him to lose several positions.
Near the end of the race, Leclair went off the track and did not hold on to second position, which allowed Norris to become the runner-up. Sainz celebrated the victory, Norris was second and Leclerc was third.
In the end, the fiercest battle was for the fourth position between the two “Mercedes” drivers, Lewis Hamilton beating George Russell, while Verstappen finished sixth. Next came Kevin Magnussen (“Haas”), Oscar Piastri (“McLaren”), Nico Hilkenberg (“Haas”) and Pierre Gasly (“Alpine”) was the last to reach the point.
Sergio Perez (“Red Bull”), the home team’s favorite, received a five-second penalty at the start for an early start and settled for 17th place at the finish, besides he failed to take one point away from his rivals “Ferrari” for the fastest lap.
Before the final four races of the season, Verstappen has 362 points, 47 more than Norris. Leclair is third with 291 points, Piastri has 251 points, and Sainz has 240 points.
“McLaren” is the first in the Constructors’ Cup with 566 points, “Ferrari” has become the vice-leader with 537 points, and “Red Bull” is third with 512 points.
This season, 24 rounds will be held in the F-1 championship.