Red Bull Racing designer Adrian Newey was hugely impressed with Lewis Hamilton's 2017 season and the way in which he achieved his title.
As one of Formula 1's most successful designers, Newey casts an expert eye not only on rival team's cars but also on their drivers' performance.
Lewis Hamilton achieved his fourth title in eleven season, pumping up his tally of Grand Prix wins to 62, or 29 short of Michael Schumacher's all-time record of 91 victories.
Beyond the stats however, Newey underlined the Mercedes driver's sustained strength and excellence behind the wheel of his Silver Arrows.
"I think his early championships were a bit up and down," Newey told Sky Sports.
"But the championship he’s just put together this year was without doubt, in my opinion, his best one.
"He’s put together such a strong campaign, there haven’t been any weak races. He’s known when to battle and when to let a position go rather than taking himself out."
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
