After the most controversial end to a Formula 1 season, the new campaign is already just weeks away.

Formula 1 has thrown up some classic rivalries over the years but none have been as quite as toxic as the current grudge match between last year’s champion, Max Verstappen and seven-time winner Lewis Hamilton.
 

Following a winter of discontent and a vicious war of words following the conclusion of the 2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix we can expect sparks to fly again in 2022.
 

There will be a record 23 races in the calendar for 2022, including the inaugural Miami Grand Prix in May. New technical rules are designed to make racing much closer and add more track drama with more overtaking opportunities throughout the field.
 

Formula 1’s motorsport boss Ross Brawn is a fan of the changes and says: "There’s lots of optimism for the season and I think we'll see some interesting results this year from some of these young drivers who are coming through. They get the right car behind them, and we can all have a lot of fun.”
 

He added: "Every decision we have made has been towards not dumbing down the sport but making it more achievable for more of the teams and to get a closer competition going on for the future while still leaving it a meritocracy so the best teams still win.”
 

Last year’s Race Director Michael Masi has been replaced by Eduardo Freitas, who comes from the same role in the World Endurance Championship, and Niels Wittich, from the DTM German Touring Car Championship. Both will be in charge of alternating rounds.
 

The new season kicks off with the Bahrain Grand Prix on the weekend of March 18-20 and will be completed in Abu Dhabi in November,