Interviewed by Moto.it, the former Spanish champion highlighted the relentless hunger for victory — and for training — shared by both: “Verstappen is someone who showed talent from a very young age, but just as importantly he had discipline — and an almost obsessive drive for training and constant improvement.

The Dutchman has added another award to his résumé following last week’s FIA Gala in Uzbekistan, where his move was voted F1’s Action of the Year — even if it remains a clear footnote compared to the ultimate prize, which went to Lando Norris.

The four-time world champion earned the honour thanks to his sensational pass around the outside at the start of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix earlier this season, a move that saw Verstappen muscle his way past Oscar Piastri and take control of the race into Turn 1.

That overtake proved just enough to beat stiff competition, edging out another standout moment from the year: Charles Leclerc’s fearless move around the outside of George Russell at Zandvoort.