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Russell, who was the only driver in the top 10 to start on the hard tyres like Hamilton, had not yet stopped and that VSC allowed him to pit for fresh tyres and rejoin still ahead of Verstappen.

Instead, with Yamamoto likely to start on five days’ rest for the first time this season next week — he had been on a six-days-rest schedule — Roberts ended Yamamoto’s night there, pulling him after 91 pitches.

Eights strike days and an indefinite marking and assessment boycott, due to start on 6 May, were scheduled last month.

“I think pretty much the whole series they probably got out to a great start on us. Just trying to stay in the game early instead of trying to make the heroic comebacks. That’s all we can do. We got to fight, man.”

Exeter Chiefs' Claudia MacDonald is rewarded for her player-of-the-match performance in the victory over Scotland with a start on the left wing, meaning regular starter Jessica Breach misses out.