Max Verstappen ignited his title defence in commanding fashion, guiding his RB20 from pole position to victory by 22.4 seconds over team-mate Sergio Perez, also nicking a bonus point for fastest lap.
Sainz rounded out the podium a further 2.5s in arrears, the Spaniard having twice passed struggling Scuderia stablemate Charles Leclerc into Turn 1 as he fights to secure the most competitive available drive for 2025 now that Lewis Hamilton will take his place at Ferrari.
Sainz was able to hang onto the coattails of fifth-starting Perez through the second half of the race despite running the harder, and theoretically slower, C3 Pirelli tyres - in addition to driving around misaligned steering following a Turn 1 knock with the Mexican.
As such, Sainz reckoned it was a “pleasant surprise” to be able to give the reigning constructors’ champion something to worry about during the 57-lap GP.
He said: “I felt really good out there today. The start wasn't ideal but from then on, I just managed my tyres well and then from there, I could do my pace, overtook two or three cars on the way to the podium and then keeping up with a Red Bull there at the end, which was a pleasant surprise.
“Still, not enough. Not where we want to be. But a good step forward compared to last year and a solid start to the season.”
Source: Autosport