Max Verstappen, Formula One's reigning champion of the last two years, came into the season with a clear target: dominating the championship with a better car, much as he had done in the two previous seasons. However unpleasant it may seem for him to taste this victory with so much struggle, Max Verstappen's drive really presents an incredibly perfect test for any challenger.

Early on in the season, things looked as though they were going in Verstappen's favor. Given Red Bull's early pace advantage, he was given the possibility to simply cruise around and dominate. The opening round in Bahrain was impressive, showing such an intimidating level of confidence and speed that at times he was nearly a second clear for eight-tenths of a lap. He even had time to casually suggest to his engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, that he should try harder.

Although controversy had surfaced regarding team principal Christian Horner's alleged behavior toward a female employee, a complaint that was later dismissed by an independent investigation, Verstappen was not concerned. He simply continued his form, taking wins in four out of the first five races, with the only blip on the radar being a DNF in Australia through a brake problem.

However, the tide turned from the sixth round in Miami, as McLaren introduced huge upgrades that transformed their car and brought them within Red Bull's range. It was also the point at which Verstappen first expressed potential grip issues with his car, reporting a cause for concern on that front. To make matters worse, legend designer Adrian Newey announced his impending departure from Red Bull after nearly two decades.

Undeterred, Verstappen hit back with three sharply competitive drives that netted victories in three of the next four races, the last of them being in Spain in June. Afterwards, the run of momentum shifted greatly.

Incremental improvement was pursuing, and the most detrimental string of developments occurred. Upgrades introduced after Miami left the car imbalanced, and any attempt to balance it just exacerbated tire wear and grip. Oversteer, which Verstappen preferred, was lost, making his task even more challenging.

Despite these setbacks, Verstappen's determination shone through. He endured a grueling five-month period without a win, but consistently delivered strong results that prevented Norris from significantly closing the gap. While some of his driving tactics were controversial and, at times, overly aggressive, they ultimately contributed to his title defense.

Perhaps the most telling moment came after a disappointing sixth-place finish in Monza, where the Red Bull was outclassed by both McLaren and Ferrari. Verstappen described the car as an "undriveable monster", really showing the degree of difficulties he faced.

But, as exceptional skill matched relentless effort, it was truly Verstappen who made the difference rather than McLaren's strategic decisions or at least occasional errors from Norris. His teammate Sergio Pérez was unable to even consistently score points in the same car, which he described as handling "like a boat."

Verstappen's unwavering commitment to excellence was evident in his words: "I always demand a lot from myself. I hate making mistakes. I put that pressure on myself every weekend. If you want to win a championship, you cannot afford bad results."

The turning point came in Brazil, where Verstappen produced a stunning effort from 17th on the grid to deliver a crucial victory in the rain. His masterly drive, in which he passed no less than Norris, who started from pole position, signifies his exceptional talent and has sealed his fourth world title.

Himself, Norris said that the triumph of Verstappen really meant something. "It is a defining moment for the championship," he said and then moved on to emphasize that it takes an incredible level of performance to beat him. "If you want to beat Max, you have to be close to perfect. He is one of the best the sport will ever see."

This is the fourth world title, a testament to his determination, exceptional skill, and the ability to overcome adversity. As he strives into the stratosphere of Formula One, one will see it is going to be incredibly hard to beat him for any aspiring champion.