This year was a textbook case in how to claim a championship. Max Verstappen won with a dominant car at the start of the year but his title was won in the middle of the season while the Red Bull became erratic to drive. Verstappen did not win for 10 straight races -- only four of which saw him on the podium -- but he never finished lower than sixth. His standout season sets him as the benchmark the rest are measured against once again.