There has been little doubt for a long time that Max Verstappen held a third Formula One world championship in his hands. Now the Dutchman has sealed the deal in Qatar after a season in which no other driver has had so much as a look-in, the nature of his relentless drive to the title can be fully appreciated. Some in the paddock even consider this the “Verstappen era”, and the 26-year-old has made a convincing case to be considered among the greats.
Verstappen has all but redefined the terms of what constitutes a dominant season in F1. He has taken 13 wins from 16 races for Red Bull, including a record-breaking run of 10 consecutive victories. Every time he has taken to the track there has been a sense of inevitability. His teammate, Sergio Pérez, in identical machinery, has been left flailing, pushing too hard in a forlorn effort to close the gap.
