As the new Formula One season gets into gear, the seismic waves of Lewis Hamilton’s shock move to Ferrari next year are still reverberating around the sport.
How will Mercedes-AMG actually do with 39-year-old Hamilton winding down the clock before jumping aboard the Prancing Horse in 2025?
Who will they replace him with and can the seven-time world champion finally deliver the goods for Ferrari if given the right car?
There’s no doubt that Max Verstappen is still leading the Red Bull charge from the front and is the man to beat.
But Ferrari is definitely on an upward trajectory and it would be a foolish man to bet against Hamilton roaring to victory in Ferrari colours the next time around.
The coming defection has sent a large dose of adrenaline into the F1 narrative as up to a dozen drivers may change allegiances over the next 18 months as their contracts expire.
Some of those trackside have questioned whether at 40, when he starts with Ferrari, Hamilton will still have the desire and hunger to push himself to the limit in what should be the twilight of his career.
But ever since his first season with McLaren in 2007, Hamilton’s natural aggressive flair, and determination have always powered him to the front.
And after all he admits it has been a childhood dream to join the Ferrari team and he could be the man to end their title drought which has gone on for far too long.
Where that leaves Mercedes, only time will tell but their form over the past year can only be described as patchy – some good days, some bad, and a lot in between.
Hamilton has been their leader and he has enjoyed immeasurable success with Mercedes, but his departure is a vote of no confidence because he wants a car to win in.
For Hamilton, his blockbuster move is not so much of a gamble as more of an opportunity to link up again with team principal and general manager Frederic Vasseur who guided him to victory in the junior ranks nearly 20 years ago.
He wants to write a new chapter with a fairy tale ending and he has taken advantage of a break clause in his contract to spin the wheel of fortune and put everything on RED.
When the dust has finally settled and the wheels stop turning, and the chequered flag is fluttering, who is to say he can't do it?