In less than a month 20 drivers of 15 nationalities – including four world champions – will slide into the cockpit of their cars ready to do battle in the toughest, fastest, richest and most technically complex race series in the world. Over 32 weeks and 21 races, a new champion will be forged and a new era of racing complete with halo will have commenced. As we explain there will be triumphs and tears, scandals and sensations but for now every team and every driver is waiting for just one thing…

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