Verstappen’s incident-packed day did two things.
Firstly, it provided a window into a potentially fascinating F1 future.
Both short-term, in the sense of hinting at the strength of the challenge he and Red Bull could mount to Mercedes and Hamilton if new engine partner Honda can deliver on the promise their latest engine is showing this season.
And long-term regarding the intensity of a potential future fight between Verstappen and Ocon, if the Frenchman, as many expect, ends up in a Mercedes in 2020.
But it also overshadowed Mercedes clinching their fifth consecutive constructors’ championship and world title double, the latter matching Ferrari’s achievements from 2000-4 with Schumacher.
This, Wolff said, had been the most difficult championship to win and as a result felt the best of all.
“We had a hell of a fight with Ferrari,” he said, “and being able to win a fifth consecutive championship is something we wouldn’t have dreamt of six years ago. In our wildest dreams it would not have come to my mind, equalising a Ferrari record that seemed unachievable.
“I feel so fortunate to be in this team. That Ferrari success is something I really looked up to and admired. To achieve it, you have to say a thousand times thank you to all the team members.”
And there was a final word for the exceptional job Hamilton has done in overcoming what more often than not was a faster car.
“He is an exceptional driver and an unbelievable human and he has been an integral part of the team,” Wolff said. “He is the one in the forefront and in the car. Many people have contributed to the success but clearly it wouldn’t have happened without him.”