Palmer: Max Verstappen “has been the strongest across the season so far”

Verstappen’s season has been very consistent having won two races in Austria and Germany, finishing on the podium three times and a lowest finish in a race being fifth at the Canadian and British Grand Prix’s.
 
The Dutchman currently sits third in the drivers’ championship, seven points behind Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas and 69 points adrift of leader Lewis Hamilton but his performances have been increasing over the past few races having been qualifying on the front row in two of the past four.
 
Palmer believes that Red Bull's Verstappen has been the strongest due to his lack of mistakes compared to other drivers.
 
He said in his BBC Sport column: “Max Verstappen has been the only driver not to make any significant mistakes this year, and arguably has been the strongest across the season so far. 

“The Red Bull car was not as quick as Ferrari or Mercedes in the early races, yet Verstappen was constantly in podium contention.

“Now that Red Bull has taken a step forward, Verstappen is a constant menace to Mercedes.

“Two wins in the last four races - and almost a third in Hungary last weekend, but for a superlative performance from the Mercedes/Hamilton combination - show Verstappen is driving at the top of his game.”

With Verstappen’s increase in performance Palmer reckons that a rivalry between him and Hamilton will be a common occurrence for the rest of the season.

“Two front rows and a pole position since Austria in late June prove the Dutchman now has qualifying sorted as well,” he added.

“And I expect the Verstappen/Hamilton rivalry seen in Hungary to be a regular feature in the second half of the season.”