A remarkable rookie season saw him miss out on the title by one point in the final race of the season to Kimi Raikkonen, but win the hearts and minds of many a fan - old and new - across the sport.

The 23-year-old's affable style off the track is contrasted by his aggressive, no-nonsense approach on it and few drivers in the sport are better at overtaking.

The pressure will be on Hamilton like never before this year, but all indications are he will mix it with the big boys again - as long as his McLaren is up to it.