Mercedes driver Bottas started in pole position and held out to claim the 25 points ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and first-time podium placer Lando Norris of McLaren.
Reigning champion Lewis Hamilton actually crossed the line ahead of Leclerc and Norris but was handed a five-second penalty for causing an accident with Red Bull’s Alex Albon and dropped to fourth.
It was a day of drama for Hamilton who had been set to start on the front row, but was moved back to fifth on the grid after a Red Bull challenge for an incident in qualifying on Saturday.
As a result, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen started from the front row but he had a technical issue and was the first casualty, with nine drivers not completing the race.
The race had three safety car periods but Bottas managed to avoid the drama to get off to the perfect start in 2020.
“There was definitely quite a bit of pressure through the race. One Safety Car was OK but by the last Safety Car I was like, ‘come on, again?’,” Bottas said.
“There were so many opportunities for Lewis to take the lead if I made a small mistake and he was really quick today, but I managed to keep it together, could really control the race from my side, and there’s obviously no better way to start the season.”
Leclerc was delighted to secure 18 points as runner-up, even if he didn’t cross the line second.
His performance was all the more impressive, given teammate Sebastian Vettel finished down in 10th.
“I did not expect it,” Leclerc said. “A huge surprise, but a good one. It feels like a victory today.”
Meanwhile there was an interesting moment pre-race when 14 of the 20 F1 drivers opted to take a knee, leaving some questioning the motives of the six who opted out.
Among those who didn’t join in were Leclerc and Verstappen who defended themselves on social media, while Hamilton deflected talk that he was forcing the issue upon other drivers.
“I am aware of some opinions of some drivers but ultimately nobody should be forced into a scenario where they have to kneel,” Hamilton said.
“I never requested or demanded anybody to take the knee. I never brought it up.”
I believe that what matters are facts and behaviours in our daily life rather than formal gestures that could be seen as controversial in some countries. I will not take the knee but this does not mean at all that I am less committed than others in the fight against racism.
— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) July 5, 2020