How Antonelli 'blew everyone away' to make F1 history

"At his age," said Verstappen, "to be so solid, not make big mistakes, and of course also beat your experienced team-mate, he's just driven incredible, and I'm very proud of him, how he has handled himself this whole season."

Lando Norris, the outgoing world champion, was also effusive in his praise.

"It couldn't have gone to a better person," he said. "He's a genuine guy, very, very kind, and he has driven unbelievably well this year, better that what everyone was expecting of him.

"He's certainly not had an easy season in terms of his competition being incredibly high. He has gone up against the best drivers in the world, all in very good cars, and he's blown everyone away.