Carlos Sainz will be swapped for seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari next season. Max Verstappen continues where he left off last year.
The Dutchman gained a lead of over 22 seconds over his teammate Sergio Pérez. Nico Hülkenberg, who had achieved a good 10th place in qualifying but didn't get off well at the start, ran into Lance Stroll and had to go into the pits. The German fell back to the end of the field and in the end managed 16th place.