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 has warned Max Verstappen he is ready to get his “elbows out” after admitting he was made to look like an “idiot” during their championship battle last year. Norris, 25, fell short in his quest to take his maiden crown after Red Bull’s Verstappen saw off his challenge to land his fourth title in a row with three rounds remaining.

Max Verstappen has revealed whether he will establish his own sim racing team as the Red Bull star divulged the reasons behind his decision. The four-time world champion is renowned for his sim racing exploits outside of Formula 1,