Last year the Formula 3 European Championship enjoyed an explosion of interest from the wider motorsport world, thanks to two incredible rookies.
First, the performances of Max Verstappen - straight from karting, just 16 years old at the start of the season, and the son of a Dutch cult hero - fully justified the hype around him.
In turn, the limelight around the precocious Belgo-Dutch firebrand was refracted upon the superb Esteban Ocon, straight from Formula Renault yet on top of the standings almost from the start of the season, not to mention seasoned F3 racers Tom Blomqvist, Lucas Auer and Macau Grand Prix winner Felix Rosenqvist.