Verstappen named best driver of the season despite missing out on title

After a stunning late-season charge, the Dutchman missed out on claiming a fifth F1 world title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Having had a 104-point gap to the championship leader at one point, the Red Bull Racing driver finished only two points behind Norris in the end.

After his third Grand Prix victory in a row, the Dutchman received the highest mark of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as well with a 9.6. The panel wrote: "While his 1,457-day-long reign as World Champion came to end in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen arguably could not have ended his season on a higher note.

Charles Leclerc and Fernando Alonso received the second-highest mark for last weekend, scoring an 8.8.

Newly crowned champion Norris finished fourth according to the panel, with an 8.6. They added: "Despite arriving into the weekend with a 12-point championship lead, Norris faced a tense few days in Abu Dhabi.

The four-time world champion had the highest season average as well, as he finished ahead of the two McLaren drivers in this regard, scoring an 8.6.

World Champion Norris finished with an 8.2, while Oscar Piastri scored an 8.0. Leclerc and George Russell completed the top five.

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