The Mercedes team principal believes that drivers who already enjoy spending time in the simulator will be the ones to benefit most from the arrival of the new generation of cars — machines set to undergo major changes both on the outside and in the internal architecture of the power unit, which will move to a 50/50 split between combustion and electric power.

"We will be having 50% electric and 50% combustion - the Austrian told in conversation with Beyond The Grid - we will be needing to compensate for a lack of electric power on every single lap, particularly on the ones with long straights.

In that sense, Verstappen is the perfect prototype of the modern driver — someone who’s spent years racing in the virtual world with his Team Redline crew across multiple categories, and who even took part in two Nürburgring races earlier this year in GT4 and GT3 machinery.

"You look at George [Russell] and his generation, Max, they work on the simulator, and they enjoy that," Wolff added. "It's their generation. So yes, I think whoever loves to be in the virtual world, be it on a rig at home or in a simulator in the factory, is going to have an advantage."

The four-time world champion, despite losing the title in the final race, is still seen as the undisputed benchmark by Fernando Alonso, who’s labelled him a once-in-a-generation talent.

The Dutchman pulled off a comeback which, even if it fell just short, only cemented his status further — all while waiting to see what kind of weapon Red Bull will put in his hands next season.