On Lap 14, Hamilton tried to clear Magnussen yet again, leading to another moment between Turns 11 and 12 – the Briton reporting that “he pushed me off the track” – which allowed soft starter Tsunoda through for ninth and into a net points position due to the Dane’s impending penalty.
There were further changes shortly afterwards as Tsunoda and, finally, Hamilton found a way past Magnussen, who was hit with further sanctions for the clash above and track limits violations, prompting a head-to-head between the RB and Mercedes drivers for the final point during the final lapses to the checked flag.
As all of that drama unfolded, race leader Verstappen kept his cool to see out the remaining kilometers and take the Sprint win, followed by Leclerc and Perez, as Ricciardo narrowly held on to fourth over the chasing Sainz and Piastri.
Hulkenberg was a fine seventh for Haas, with Hamilton managing to beat Tsunoda to eighth but then tumbling down the order after being investigated for speeding in the pit lane when the field passed through it under the early Safety Car and subsequently receiving a 20-second time penalty.
Pierre Gasly therefore took ninth in his Alpine, from Sargeant, Zhou Guanyu, Russell in the other Mercedes, pit lane starter Albon, Bottas and Ocon, with Hamilton winding up 16th ahead of Alonso and Magnussen.
