Max Verstappen's net worth on the rise with F1 champion tipped to become billionaire

Mazepin hits out at Haas over contract termination

Miracle of Yas Marina for Max Verstappen as he prevails in world title shoot-out

Formula One cancels Russian Grand Prix following invasion of Ukraine

Max Verstappen 'recharged' ahead of new F1 season

Jeremy Clarkson makes awkward jibe to Ant McPartlin

Walking around the paddock in Bahrain, one looked every inch the Formula One superstar, the other looked like a cheeky urchin ever-ready for a practical joke.

Lewis Hamilton was coolness itself, head to toe in white with a set of boots straight off the catwalk. The seven-times world champion has some style, that is for sure. Max Verstappen, on the other hand, was bouncing around in high street trainers and scuffed jeans, exchanging gags with his fellow drivers.

Yet not only is Verstappen threatening Hamilton’s dominance on the track; he is aiming to take his pole position OFF it. And one marketing expert believes the 24-year-old Dutchman, who controversially won his first world title last year, can become the sport’s first BILLIONAIRE. Hamilton still sets the gold standard for Formula One earners - last year, Forbes magazine rated him the eighth best-paid sportsman in the world, with an annual income of £62million.

He has a string of blue-chip endorsements, including Tommy Hilfiger, Puma and Vodafone. And Hamilton also has a phenomenal, unrivalled social media reach that he can also cash in on.

It was recently suggested he could make £67,000 per Instagram post and he has also set up a partnership with Apple to make documentaries and movies. But Verstappen has started the financial chase, recently signing a new five-year deal with Red Bull worth in excess of a staggering £200m.

The Dutchman - guided by his father,