Then there is the matter of penalty points. Verstappen currently has eight to his name - accumulate four more and he’ll serve a one-race ban. Worse still, the FIA stewards have clamped down on avoidable contact and issued several 10-second time penalties in Abu Dhabi, some harsh and some warranted.

Lando Norris is relishing the tag of Formula 1 title favourite this year, even if it means being more aggressive while fighting wheel-to-wheel with Max Verstappen.

Hopes are high that the 2025 Formula 1 season will deliver a closely contested championship race, with a number of drivers in the mix as the season progresses.