F1's Max Verstappen showed 'biblical levels of confidence and feel', says Mark Webber

Max Verstappen showed "biblical levels of confidence and feel" as he came out on top against Lewis Hamilton in a tense battle for the Drivers' Championship, says Former F1 driver Mark Webber.

The battle for this year's championship went right down to the wire as Red Bull driver Verstappen claimed the Drivers' Championship on the last lap of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in controversial circumstances.

Verstappen's last-gasp win at the Yas Marina circuit capped a brilliant year for the Dutch driver, and Webber says the "sport should be embracing him" due to his exploits.

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"The maturity he's showed for his age when he came into the sport, he has biblical levels of confidence and feel, at the highest level," Webber told Channel 4.

"These cars are not easy to get on top of early.

"Through karting and F3, Red Bull took the risk, and he is right up there in terms of what Red Bull stands for to compete and race hard.

"Verstappen has captivated a nation. Look at the Dutch Grand Prix this year. That was phenomenal for the sport, a new benchmark for that.

"These [drivers] come along once every ten years. Verstappen is absolutely phenomenal, and the sport should be embracing him."

Webber continued: "He's not overwhelmed by individuals, he doesn't play people on their reputations, he doesn't drive on their reputations.

"He just sees it as 'this is my turf, I'm a racing driver, and I'm going to make my presence felt', which he does extraordinarily well.

"So I think for him to know he went against Lewis, there was no real attrition – yes, he had the puncture in Baku, the shunt in Silverstone which was Lewis' fault, Max was a bit out of order in Saudi, I felt.

"So they've had their trials and tribulations, but ultimately he knows he's beaten a hungry Hamilton, a fit Hamilton."