PADDOCK INSIDER: All the stories that got the Silverstone paddock talking

Mercedes driver George Russell could not arrive in better form to his home race at Silverstone, the Briton securing his first win since the season opener in Australia last time out in Austria. It wasn’t just the result that was important, but more the wonders his performance has done for his confidence, having endured a string of defeats to sophomore team mate Kimi Antonelli.

Russell was starting to wonder what he had to do to get the most out of a Mercedes which Antonelli was managing to command. It was a particular irritation because he had been so dominant in Australia and, given his experience and the pace of the car, he was understandably the overwhelming favourite for the title.

Instead, he fell 50 points behind before trimming that to 40 in Austria as he outgunned Antonelli on a track where the Italian had arguably been the strongest and fastest of all but not hooked it together.