Leclerc was borderline with “questionable” F1 British GP defending

Russell followed Leclerc closely for the first 18 laps of the race but could not get by until the latter made an early first stop.

Later Russell emerged from his own slow mid-race pitstop behind Leclerc having run an unusually long first stint on the soft tyres.

The pair then enjoyed a brief but spectacular tussle before Russell went past on his way to an eventual fifth place.

“I felt good on those tyres,” said Russell of his opening stint. “And that was 28 laps…