Reuters
Ross Brawn, F1's motorsport managing director, was one of many excited to see what lies ahead after seven years of Mercedes domination. "It has all the hallmarks of a titanic battle, not least because I don't think teams will be able to throw a lot of resources at this year's car with the 2022 car in the works," he said after Sunday's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. It would normally be no surprise for Hamilton, the most successful driver of all time and hitting new heights at 36, and Mercedes to be top of the standings at this stage but it is.