Lewis Hamilton entered the round with a six-point lead in the World Drivers' Championship over teammate and defending race winner Nico Rosberg.

In the week before the race, MRT driver Rio Haryanto was the subject of increased media scrutiny amidst reports that his primary sponsor—Indonesian petrochemical company Pertamina—had not met its financial obligations to the team, thus placing his future with MRT and in the sport in jeopardy.

[4] Haryanto was ultimately able to secure the seat for the race, but his long-term future with the team remained in doubt.

[5] Following the handing out of several controversial penalties and extensive debate over the application of amendments to the sporting regulations, the FIA repealed all of the rules restricting pit-to-car communications.

[8] In the race itself Lewis Hamilton won claiming his 4th victory in a row to move into a 19-point lead in the Championship, Daniel Ricciardo came home 2nd ahead of his teammate Max Verstappen, Nico Rosberg slipped back to 4th after being penalised for forcing Verstappen off the track.