Max Verstappen was clear all season he wanted to win the Formula One world title with a dominant car, just as he had the previous two years.
Much as he might have enjoyed more of a canter, the fight for his fourth title, secured in Las Vegas, was not only far greater sport but also showed how complete a driver he has matured into.
Beating him in future is going to be a fearsome task, as his title rival Lando Norris acknowledged.
In the early stages of the season Verstappen appeared to be having it all his own way again. With the Red Bull quick out of the blocks, he was bossing it on track. At the opening round in Bahrain his confidence and pace was intimidating, with an advantage at some points between eight-tenths and a second a lap, an extraordinary chasm as he almost flippantly asked his engineer Gianpiero Lambiase if he needed to push.
He seemed unfazed by the controversy which had unfolded at the start of the season when his team principal, Christian Horner, was accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female employee, a complaint subsequently dismissed by an independent investigation but which was destabilising nonetheless.
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Amorim asks for survival mode after Wolves loss
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Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City board will discuss new signings for the January transfer window this week, the manager said after his team dropped another two points in the 1-1 draw with Everton.
Arteta backs Martinelli to step up after Saka injury
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Wilson and Muniz pounce late to cast doubt on Chelsea's title credentials
Perhaps there will be some debate around Fulham's equaliser after 82 minutes of this 2-1 derby win for Marco Silva's team at Stamford Bridge.
Jones and Salah clear path at the top for Liverpool
Liverpool have kicked off at 8pm on a Boxing Day twice in their history.
Tonali helps Newcastle ease past 10-man Villa
Sandro Tonali has brought Newcastle an abundance of gifts but perhaps foremost among them is the rare ability to slow games down that offers Eddie Howe's high-intensity team the sort of invaluable control they have so often lacked in recent months.
Elanga takes Forest third and deepens Postecoglou's pain
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Haaland's wasted spot-kick adds to Guardiola's gloom
Manchester City's plight is their individual kind of déjà vu nightmare.
Fabianski carried off but Bowen edges out Juric's new Saints
If we take the view that Southampton are doomed - as a reminder, no club has ever stayed in the Premier League with such a lowly points tally at this stage of the season - then small positives must be sought wherever possible for the beleaguered regulars at St Mary's.
'Rubbish game' but Guéhi content with valuable point
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