2020 was the year that Max Verstappen matured and highlighted beyond all doubt that he is read🌊y for a title push. His Red Bull equipment let him down at times, but the Dutchman was the💞 only driver close to Hamilton’s level.

A remarkably consistent start to the year and run of nine podiums from the opening 12 races kept Verstappen without touching distance of a potential championship challenge, but five costly retirements ultim🀅ately ended his hopes.

DNFs through no fault of his own in Austria♌, all three rounds in Italy and the second race in Bahrain left the paddock wondering what could have been from a season he ended just 9 points behind Bottas.

SEE ALSO: The top 10 F1 drivers of the 2020 season: 3 - Sergio Perez 

Verstappen proved a constant thorn in Mercedes’ side, often splitting Hamilton and Bottas in qualifying and overhauling both to claim victories at the 70th Anniversary 🌳Grand Prix and season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the latter of which he also took a brilliant shock first pole position of the year.

Turkey aside, where Red Bull got the balance of his RB16 completely wrong which in part led to a spin en route to a sub-par sixth place, Veꦛrstappen got the maximum out of every weekend this year.

With a faster start out of the blocks from Red Bull and better reliability, Verstappen would be a menace to Hamilton’s bid to become the ou🅷tright most successful driver in history n🔴ext season.

Could 2021 finally be his year?

You may have already guessed it, but return on Christmas Day as we reveal our driver of the 2020 F1 season…