Ex-F1 driver states Verstappen left rivals 'speechless'

Ex-Formula 1 driver Timo Glock has hailed Max Verstappen after his dominant campaign this season.

Verstappen won 19 out of the 22 Grands Prix staged this year, setting a series of records en route to his third Drivers' Championship.

It marked one of the most dominant seasons in F1 history as Red Bull also prevailed in the Constructors' standings while the second Red Bull driven by Sergio Perez ended the campaign runner-up to his team-mate.

Glock, who has 95 race entries to his name, stated that Verstappen left his rivals dumbstruck during the season.

“There's not much more you can say about Verstappen,” Glock wrote in his column for Sky Sports Germany. “He has simply left everyone speechless this year.

“Verstappen has set every record and superlative that you can set. He was the driver who didn't make a single mistake.

“The team also did a great job, there were no technical problems at all. It's simply unbelievable how well Red Bull is organised.”

Glock expects Red Bull advantage to continue

Red Bull was able to switch focus to next year's car early on in the campaign due to its advantage over the rest of the field.

As a result, Glock is confident that Red Bull will once again hold a strong deficit to the competition next season.

“Verstappen has driven himself into a region that is quite unique,” he said. “You can only take your hat off to him.

“If he doesn't achieve legend status this year, he certainly will in the coming years. I can well imagine that Red Bull will have an advantage again next year because they were able to concentrate on the new car early on.

“Especially thanks to Verstappen, who pulled out a big lead. Incredible in every respect and simply outstanding.”