Lewis Hamilton crashed out on the first lap after an initially good start. The Mercedes driver sustained damage after a collision with Fernando Alonso. The seven-time world champion tried his luck, but a broken rear suspension forced him to retire.
Max Verstappen and
Charles Leclerc were already in eighth and ninth place at the time.
A lap later
Nicholas Latifi spun and
Valtteri Bottas was unable to pass the Canadian
Williams driver. Ironically, Latifi can pass, but Bottas cannot. The Alfa Romeo driver is stuck in the gravel. It results in a safety car. During this safety car Leclerc goes in for new tyres, why is not entirely clear. In any case, there was some smoke to be seen at the front right. The Monegasque has to start from the back again.