Verstappen was forced to start from 14th on the grid - which effectively became 13th as Pierre Gasly retreated to the garage before the start - as one of several drivers taking an engine change penalty. On soft tyres, he quickly scythed through the field in his dominant Red Bull RB16.
Following an early safety car, the Dutchman came through in seventh after just five laps and then steadily moved up to second, passing second-starting teammate Sergio Perez.
