Nyck de Vries, as reigning World Champion, won the first race of the season in Diriyah. The Dutchman, together with Stoffel Vandoorne, was supreme in Saudi Arabia which meant a one-two finish for the Mercedes team. Jake Dennis finished third and also got to join the podium.
De Vries started from P3, but immediately managed to graze Jake Dennis at the start. After a short safety car following a crash by Oliver Rowland, De Vries and Vandoorne immediately drove away from the rest of the field. When activating the 'attack mode' the Belgian Vandoorne did not drive properly over the sensor, allowing De Vries to move into first place with the extra power of his attack mode.
Dennis finished third place in the last ten minutes ahead of Andre Lotterer. The Brit reported a flat tyre, but he still managed to finish the race. Antonio Giovinazzi finished 20th on his debut.