PALMER: Five vital qualities that made the difference in Verstappen’s title defence this season

So Max Verstappen has sealed his fourth world championship title; a feat which seemed an inevitability in March but proved far from it in reality. Throughout this most turbulent of seasons there have been a few key qualities that Max has shown across a few races which have made the decisive difference. Here are five of them…

1. Brazil – pure driving genius

Of course the Sao Paulo Grand Prix was his drive of the season. It was a superb performance under immense pressures. The championship was at its most precarious point for Max as he slithered round to the grid at a sodden Interlagos.