Sergio Pérez started from pole position but was not first out from the start. It was Fernando Alonso. However, the Spaniard was not allowed to maintain the lead for too long, because already on the fourth lap the Mexican was past.
"We have some work to do there (the start). We have changed a little bit but still have some work to do to get better from that position," Pérez said in the victory interview in Viaplay.
Despite the miscalculation at the start, most of it was about the 33-year-old.
He retained the lead and took his fifth F1 victory.
However, Sergio Pérez is still second in the summary.
Stablemate Max Verstappen, who due to mechanical problems had to start from 15th position, had to struggle to climb the leaderboard to second place.
"Yes, it wasn't easy to get through the field but when I took them one by one I got into a rhythm. I'm happy to be on the podium," he said.
The Dutchman was also noted for the fastest time of the race, which gave extra points and continued overall lead ahead of Pérez.
Fernando Alonso was penalised by ten seconds, leaving him fourth instead of third – and thus having to wait for the 100th podium of his career. Instead, George Russell, England, was third.
Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, who after the premiere criticised his stable and then backed down on the issue, was a couple of places sharper than in Bahrain and finished fifth.