And whether Mercedes and Hamilton demand it. Is it enough for them that Masi has been sacked? That a new virtual race control has been created and decision-making process overhauled? That communications from team principals to the race director have been outlawed? Will Mercedes call off the dogs of war and be content with the moral high ground? Or will they demand a public apology?

We are about to find out. After his self-imposed silence, Hamilton speaks to the media on Friday morning for the first time since Abu Dhabi, when Mercedes launch the W13, their challenger for the season. The 37-year-old will be preceded on the Zoom call by Toto Wolff, his team principal.

And Red Bull, how will they react to this development? Will this sour Verstappen’s victory for them in any way? Because one thing is for sure, there is no way it is getting taken off him.

It would incredibly tough on the Dutchman if his achievement was forever tarnished. Verstappen did nothing wrong in Abu Dhabi. Like Hamilton, he drove brilliantly on the day. And indeed over the course of a season in which, if anything, he suffered even worse luck than his rival. Verstappen was a thoroughly deserving champion. It is just the manner in which he ultimately clinched the title which sticks in the craw.

Beyond Abu Dhabi and the title controversy, it will be interesting to see how the new setup actually works. The general consensus within the sport was that the steps taken the FIA had taken were broadly positive, providing some clarity at long last. Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas are both experienced and well-respected, while bringing Herbie Blash back will be reassuring to many of F1’s old guard who hark back to his double-act with Charlie Whiting. 

Bringing a 73-year-old back into the fold, five seasons after he stepped away from the sport, may seem like a backwards step. But there are few people more respected, or with a greater knowledge of Formula 1’s nuances, than Blash. His counsel will be invaluable to Wittch and Freitas.