THE 2022 F1 season is nearly upon us with the focus now finally on the new campaign. Max Verstappen edged Lewis Hamilton to last year’s crown with a thrilling final-lap overtake in December. The drivers had their first round of trying their new cars out in Barcelona at the end of February. And Verstappen, 24, begins the defence of his maiden world title on March 20. That will be his first race since signing a mega £37million-per-year new contract with Red Bull. The new pay packet means he is just £3m behind his F1 rival Hamilton. McLaren star Lando Norris comes in third after signing a new bumper four-year contract.

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