Monaco’s Charles Leclerc came in third in the Russian Grand Prix on Sunday, September 29, behind the two Mercedes drivers of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, breaking the Ferrari spell over recent races.

Leclerc had started in pole position – his fourth in a row – but a misunderstanding over tactics with his team’s managers cost him dearly. However, there was some consolation for the 21 year-old; he has now stepped up to third position in the drivers’ rankings.

Hamilton, who has one four out of all six races in Sochi, was understated in his verdict: “It’s incredible to have this result today considering how quick [Ferrari] were off the start. Just keeping up with them was an incredibly hard task. But we haven’t given up and we keep pushing,” Hamilton said. “Honestly I try not think about the championship. One step at a time, one foot in front of the other — we don’t want to stumble.”

PHOTO: Leclerc, left, with teammate Sebastian Vettel