Red Bull team boss Christian Horner hailed newly-crowned three-time world champion Max Verstappen as "the most competitive driver I've ever seen" on Saturday after he clinched his third title at the Qatar Grand Prix.
As tributes flowed and the Red Bull team celebrated in their black "champion" t-shirts, Horner described the 26-year-old Dutchman as "phenomenal" and "out of this world".
His father Jos Verstappen, a former team-mate of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher at Benetton, expressed his pride in not only his son's achievement but the manner of them.
"Of course, we appreciate it (the championship triumph), but it's also the way he did it," said Verstappen senior. "He was so dominant this year and he delivered really well and I'm very proud of that.
"I knew it, his talent, a long time ago when he was in go-karts and I think we made the right decision in the beginning of his career and now it's up to him what he does. I'm just very happy with how he does it and how strong he is and the way he works for that."
"He's been by far the most dominant so it's come as no surprise, but to see Max join some of the great names we spoke about earlier," said Horner.
"He's in that bracket now. The way he's driven this year has been out of this world and I think you have to take a moment to reflect and be in the moment and everything he's done this year is phenomenal.
His team-mate Sergio Perez, who was his only remaining title rival before Saturday's sprint race, was generous in his appraisal of Verstappen's achievement.
"Of course, I would like to be in his position today, but there can be only one winner so I am happy for him - he has worked really hard for it and so congratulations to him and his team.