For the first time in a decade, Formula One is a contest rather than a procession - it is one of the most compelling seasons in the sport's recent history.
And rather than being an internal fight between Mercedes drivers, as was the case in 2016 when it came down to an arm wrestle between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, this is a two-way ruck between two teams and two men.
Hamilton, who trails by 12 points after seven rounds in the Mercedes, and championship leader Max Verstappen in a Red Bull - here, Sportsmail takes a look at how it may play out.
Max Verstappen (left) and Lewis Hamilton (right) are in the tighest F1 title race for a decade
Who has the experience?
Hamilton, with seven titles to his name, is the man in possession. He is the defending champion and knows how to deal with the pressure of a title fight. He has been there before, prevailing under intense scrutiny in 2008, when he won on the final bend of the final lap of the final race in Brazil, beating Felipe Massa of Ferrari.
He also lost the title in 2007 in his unforgettable debut season. Again, it was sorted out in the concluding Grand Prix. So Hamilton understands what it takes, and can draw on those mixed experiences.
Verstappen, on the other hand, is new to this sort of examination. That is a mixed blessing. Long seen as the heir to the throne, the Dutchman has no baggage and can drive with a certain freedom. But it is yet to be seen how he behaves in this sort of heat.
Max Verstappen kept his championship bid on track by claiming another 2021 Grand Prix win
The Dutchman is quickly becoming used to finishing No 1 and he is a major threat to Mercedes
He seems fairly breezy for now, relishing the situation in which he finds himself and, while both have driven off track in recent races, they are each in a level mid-season mood. Only seven of the 23 races have unfolded so far, and the most exacting moments of their rivalry have yet to be played out.
Verstappen's nerve has yet to be put under the microscope.
Who is faster?
Hamilton's one-lap pace is underlined by his record of poles — 100. That beats everyone in history by a mile but is partly a product of Mercedes' dominance of recent times. Verstappen, though, is quick, too, yet he only has five poles to his credit.
He is an elbows-out driver and Red Bull now
