The Hungarian Grand Prix was all about the battle lines being drawn between Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari for the second half of the season.
Lewis Hamilton moved into the championship lead for the first time, now six points ahead of teammate Nico Rosberg.
But while that battle is all nicely under the control of headmaster Toto Wolff, the fight between the two teams right behind is just getting started.
Red Bull and Ferrari had aspirations of battling the two Silver Arrows at the Hungaroring. But as the checkered flag neared, and the two silver cars had gone, it was about who would be crowned ‘best of the rest’.
Red Bull had the better pace all weekend over their Italian rivals. However, a poor pitstop allowed Kimi Raikkonen the chance to fight Max Verstappen, while a nibble at Mercedes put Daniel Ricciardo in the crosshairs of Sebastian Vettel.
Neither Ferrari would be able to get past their respective Red Bull, but it sets Formula One up for what is to come between now and the end of the year.
Neither needs the money of finishing second to Mercedes in the Constructors’ championship, though it doesn’t harm. Instead, it’s all about pride and for Maurizio Arrivabene, likely keeping his job.
But here’s the great thing about ten races of red vs dark blue. Whenever it comes to blows there won’t be a big, tall Austrian waiting to slap the drivers on the wrist and tell them they are naughty boys.
It’s the beauty of a battle between two teams. No team orders and no manipulating strategy to make it near impossible for the second guy (Rosberg never stood a chance against Hamilton lets be honest). Just two of the finest squads on the grid going at each other hammer and tongs.
Both have different approaches to achieving the same lap times. Red Bull are all about downforce and grip in the corners, Ferrari is about the power unit and looking after their tyres a little better.
They will ebb and flow from track-to-track, sector-to-sector and it won’t be a case of the man leading after Turn 1 getting his own way.
Of course, Hamilton and Rosberg will continue to produce the moments that have made for such an enthralling battle so far.
But with Hamilton now ahead is that the catalyst for him to go on and re-establish 2015-style dominance over Nico? Or will he hit right back and what promises to be a combative weekend at Hockenheim?
How desperate will Rosberg get in the scrap with his teammate? Will he follow the so-called ‘rules of engagement’ or will further altercations occur?
Certainly, it looks like the team continue to make impressive gains with the car.
Victory at the Hungaroring completed the clean sweep of circuits, having failed to win there in the V6 hybrid era, although Hamilton did claim victory back in 2013.
But there will be times when the three teams are close together, as they were on Sunday. Spa has been a reasonable track for Red Bull as they go low on downforce, so will next weekend’s return to Germany along with Singapore, Suzuka and Austin.
Ferrari will have eyes on a little race at Monza too, as well as other venues mentioned.
Overall, however, the Silver Arrows will maintain a firm grip as the team to beat until this current generation of rules and regulations end after Abu Dhabi.
Many fans hope that their dominant reign will also come to a close or at least become more competitive from 2017 onwards.
But before then, and when things are a little quieter between the top two, those same fans can get a glimpse of what might be to come.
Red Bull and Ferrari are separated by a single point after Budapest, and while the Prancing Horse has traditionally gone well at Hockenheim, another close battle is on the cards.
Reliability will be key for the red team, while strategy and another engine upgrade around Suzuka could bolster the dark blue outfit.
I can see Milton Keynes winning the day over Maranello after Yas Marina, but what do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
But with four big-name drivers all jostling for position, it promises to be an epic spectacle regardless of who eventually comes out on top.
