Verstappen’s teammate last year, Sergio Pérez, has been replaced by Liam Lawson this season, with the New Zealand driver set to make his full-time F1 debut in 2025. In the drizzly conditions in Bahrain, Lawson said he was fighting “a few teething gremlins” with his car as he sought to adjust to life alongside Verstappen.

Angela Cullen has also returned to Hamilton’s side as a popular addition to the Ferrari family. She is his physiotherapist but is a favourite among Hamilton fans for being by his side throughout his title-winning glory days.