[3][4] Heading into the Grand Prix, Valtteri Bottas led the World Drivers' Championship by 8 points over teammate Lewis Hamilton.

[14] Carlos Sainz Jr. split the two Haas cars in 7th and Kimi Räikkönen continuing his longest streak of Q3's in Formula 1[failed verification], qualifying ninth just ahead of Lando Norris’ McLaren in 10th.

[14][16] Nico Hülkenberg (Renault) was the shock exit in Q1 in 17th place behind Antonio Giovinazzi’s Alfa Romeo and ahead of Lance Stroll, who qualified 18th.

On lap 6, Charles Leclerc overtook Vettel for the lead of the race into turn 1 and began to pull away quickly.

In the process he flat-spotted his tires, causing severe vibration leading to a front wing failure.

The Renaults were running 6th and 7th and made contact while battling for position into turn 1, with Daniel Ricciardo left with front wing damage.

However, with four laps remaining, the two Renaults retired with mechanical issues and brought out the safety car, which stayed out until the end of the race.