Verstappen’s charge in the title fight began after the summer break, managing to close a seemingly insurmountable gap of 104 points after Zandvoort, ultimately finishing the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix just two points behind Norris, who went on to claim the championship.

In the first half of the season, however, the Dutchman struggled to keep pace with the two McLarens, hampered by an RB21 that at the start of the year proved no match for the MCL39, only to recover towards the end of the season.

“Verstappen was strong in the final races of the year, he wasn’t the best overall,” the former F1 driver told appearing on the MontoyAS podcast.

Montoya believes that in the first and mid-parts of the season, the two McLarens took turns being the best drivers: “Midway through the season, the top driver was Lando. At the start of the year, it was Oscar. The problem is that people only remember the recent results.

Unlike Montoya, the British commentator had no doubts in picking Max Verstappen as the driver who showcased the best this year, despite missing out on the title at the final race, while also acknowledging the great work of the newly crowned world champion.

Brundle believes that Verstappen is “still the best driver on the grid,” with the Dutchman finishing the season with the highest number of wins and podiums.