Max Verstappen's rise to the big time has been meteoric, to say the least. But the 17-year-old prodigy, who passed through the gates of Grand Prix racing after just one season in single seaters, albeit a very successful one, has also displayed a remarkable maturity at the highest level.

Obviously, his performances have produced inconsistencies and a few ups and downs, something which was to be expected for such a diamond in the rough.

But Verstappen's team boss Franz Tost believes the junior bull has offered his employers full satisfaction so far, given the challenges at hand, both technical and human.

“I must say there are less downs than expected because if you look at all the races, he has shown the performance always was there, " Franz Tost told F1i.

"It was most often a technical problem, but also how he handles all these technical problems is quite impressive. Normally a young driver has some difficulties dealing with that."

"Once more if I remember how good his race was and how he fought in Melbourne, and then I remember in China with just a few laps to go and then ‘boom’ and you have to stop, but he is still quite relaxed. "

So far in his debut season, young Max has taken it all in his stride and earned the praise of his employers, Red Bull and Toro Rosso, along the way. Not only for his raw speed and race craft, but for his incredibly developed mental approach.

"Max is mentally very strong and also strong enough just to forget it, race done, next weekend. To concentrate once more on the next weekend, to build up the motivation once more for the next race and to look forward is also quite interesting to observe. It also proves how mature he is already.”

Click here for Chris Medland's Italian Grand Prix preview and bold podium prediction. 

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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