► Max Verstappen has made quite an impression already
► 2016’s slower car could make or break the young star
► Could it be difficult for him to keep up that incredible momentum?
His brilliance knew no bounds last year. There was that overtaking move around the outside of Blanchimont at Spa-Francorchamps; then came that fighting fourth place in the USA. Even his decision to ignore team orders in Singapore, when he refused to let team-mate Carlos Sainz pass, earned praise.
Max Verstappen was the boy wonder in 2015, but where does he go from here? Year two will be harder because the novelty factor – and the element of surprise – will be gone. He’ll no longer be the new guy and won’t command the same level of attention. Other newcomers, such as Briton Jolyon Palmer, who’s making his debut with Renault, will attract the rookie headlines. Then there’s Toro Rosso’s new STR11. However good the chassis, it will have a power deficit this year because it will be using a 2015 Ferrari engine that could be as much as 30bhp down on the Prancing Horse’s latest motor. It’s going to be difficult for Verstappen to maintain the momentum he’s built up, but it’s not beyond his capabilities to put in a giant-killing performance at Monaco, where there’s less emphasis on grunt.
Outside the car he’ll no doubt continue to woo the media with his wit, wisdom and unfathomable calmness. Can anyone remember having been this mature at 18? ‘Some of the things he says,’ says Mark Webber, ‘make me think he’s been here before. He’s got a very good head on his shoulders.’ In 2016 especially, he’s going to need it.