Five things we learned from the Russia GP...

Following Ferrari’s curious strategy deal struck on the eve of Sunday’s race, Sebastian Vettel was effectively told that he stood no chance of winning, even if he beat Charles Leclerc to the opening corner. Vettel was subjected to at least three orders to move out of the way of Leclerc, 11 years and four championships his junior. And embarrassed furthermore when he was left out on old tyres to ensure Leclerc got the jump on him in the pits. and their actions, but his explanation only left more questions than answers. Firstly, he refused to say that either driver broke the pact, despite appearing to pin the blame on Vettel. Then, he claimed that Ferrari’s decision to leave Vettel out on old rubber was to cover off Lewis Hamilton, rather than to ensure he would fall behind Leclerc. Thirdly, he made the curious claim that if Vettel had not broken down, Ferrari will have considered swapping their drivers around again. Surely an implausible suggestion, considering they spent the first half of Sunday’s race trying everything to get Vettel out of Leclerc’s way? which ensures individuals are not subjected to a blame culture.

Hats off to McLaren for breaking the 100-point barrier for the first time since 2014. Following years of turmoil, the British team have got their act together this season, and with new F1 boss Andreas Seidl at the helm, are heading in the right direction.

Before Sunday’s race, George Russell was told by his Williams engineers that only eight passes had been made in the five races staged at the Sochi Autodrom. That alarming statistic barely improved in the following 53 laps. Sochi has been the home of F1 in Russia for five years, but the sport may visit there just once more after it emerged that the fixture may be moved to St Petersburg. Hopefully that circuit will be more lively than the one at the Black Sea resort.