I will start this off by saying that I myself don't identify as a true thoroughbred Max Verstappen fan; I am more of a Williams man personally. However, my adventures galavanting round Monza last weekend have very much opened my eyes to just what impact this young man is having on the world of Formula One.
Before witnessing the masses of Verstappen crazed fans and admirers in the flesh myself at the track - indeed for as many Raikkonen, Hamilton, Vettel and Alonso fans there were just as many (if not more) proudly brandishing the Dutch flag and Toro Rosso cap of their new protege - I was under the impression that amongst the wider F1 community that Verstappen was seen as just another, albeit slightly more promising, Red Bull rookie.
But the exact opposite could not be more accurate.
The truth is that the F1 fans, at least the ones who made the holy pilgrimage to the F1's 'Cathedral of Speed', have welcomed their new hero with open arms, and to be honest who can really blame them. For all that was said of Max's inexperience and age he has shown time and time again that he is far from afraid of tussling with the biggest and best names to have ever graced the wondrous world of Formula One.
So what is it that has made Verstappen F1's newest protege? Well the answer is simple. Aggression.
It didn't matter whether it was the first half an hour of First Practice or whether he was lining up Felipe Nasr for a superbly brave and ambitious overtake around the outside down into the first chicane. Even with just the naked eye it was clear to see that Verstappen, and in fairness to his team mate Carlos Sainz Jr. him as well to a lesser degree, was always trying to eek out that extra tenth, breaking just a few meters later, trying to get the power down just a few centimeters earlier. Every time his little Toro Rosso spaceship came hurtling down into turn one you couldn't help but realise that you were watching a very talented young man doing what he does best and what he will do for years and years to come.
And his supreme bravery paid dividends in the race, even if neither Toro Rosso was capable of really fighting for points. Despite knowing that he'd have a drive through penalty even before the five lights went out Verstappen fought fiercely through the field, putting the likes of Felipe Nasr and Jenson Button firmly in their place with excellent overtakes down into turn one and up the inside of the fearsome Parabolica respectively, receiving a hearty cheer amongst the Tifosi each time.
However, even these moves pale in comparison against his overtake on Felipe Nasr around the outside of Blanchimont in Spa-Francorchamps two weeks ago, the same move which when attempted by GP2 racer Daniel De Jong the day before ended with Verstappen's fellow Dutchman in hospital with a fractured vertebrae.
The key behind Verstappen's seemingly innate ability to pull off the most daring of overtakes is one firmly of opinion. You could quite easily point towards his obvious natural ability behind the wheel of a racing car, or to his unrelenting determination to make it big in Formula One, or even towards his practicing of said overtakes on the virtual track with his iRacing buddies at Team Redline.
One thing's for certain though. Having seen Max Verstappen nigh-on insanity in person, for me he is certainly a very valid candidate for 'The King of Overtaking'.