Sainz the "DRS dealer", outwitting both the faster Mercedes cars (fresh medium tires) by giving Norris a DRS tow for numerous laps. The accidental 'cooperation' between master of ceremony Sainz and assistant Norris made them secure P1 and P2 (WDC and WCC points). Both knew that they were sitting ducks with their old tires when faster Mercedes cars were hunting them down, but managed to defend their track positions with team work. Without DRS tows it would have been a sure-fire P1-P2 for Mercedes (unlikely that Russell would have made the pilot error he impatiently made during the final lap - he would have already passed both Sainz and Norris prior to the final lap).
- Lap 56/62: Sainz (request): "Gap to Lando every lap." | Scuderia: "Copy that."
- Lap 58/62: Scuderia (worried): "Lando .8 behind, .8 with DRS." | Sainz: "Yeah, it's on purpose." | Scuderia: "Copy that."