● The gearbox sensor issue that had both Mercedes on the verge of retirement throughout the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix was as a result of high spike loadings into the gearbox through the rear suspension over the savage Red Bull Ring kerbs. These were causing two looms to rub together in a way that was interfering with the signal and taking the system perilously close to failsafe mode, to protect the gearbox. It was an unexpected complication arising from the W11’s radically aggressive rear suspension layout, in which the lower wishbone is extremely narrow angled and therefore feeding into the gearbox at two narrowly-spaced points. It has been configured this way to allow it to be swept back, thereby enhancing the aerodynamics around the diffuser.

● Red Bull’s query to the stewards about the legality of the Mercedes W11’s Dual Axis Steering system on the Friday of the Austrian Grand Prix was thrown out.

● Renault, still angered at Racing Point’s apparent cloning of last year’s Mercedes W10, protested the front and rear brake ducts of the ‘pink Mercedes’ after the Styrian Grand Prix, arguing that they are identical to those of last year’s Mercedes. Under this year’s regulations brake ducts are listed parts and must be designed by each individual team.

● At the time of writing Valtteri Bottas was expected to be confirmed at Mercedes for another season, with the team opting to extend his current one-year contract. The future contracts of team boss Toto Wolff and driver Lewis Hamilton have yet to be announced.

● Ferrari cancelled its post-race media sessions after the calamitous coming together of Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel on the first lap of the Styrian Grand Prix.

● Leclerc was quick to accept the blame for the first-lap incident, during which his mistimed lunge led to his car striking a kerb and riding over team-mate Vettel’s, putting both out. Leclerc apologised to Vettel and the Ferrari team, while Vettel said: “We’re both mature enough to move on.”

● McLaren is looking for buyers of a minority shareholding in the group after the Bahraini sovereign wealth group opted not to increase its share beyond the current 62.6% stake in the team. The Bahraini group has, however, extended a loan to get the group through its COVID-intensified cashflow crisis.

● Renault faces a race against time to track down the cause of the radiator issues that put Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon out of the first two races respectively. It leaves the team 31 points behind customer McLaren.