 Complete the following phrase:  Verstappen enjoyed a very strong second half of the season, achieving podium finishes at Belgium, Singapore, Japan and the USA, the latter of which he achieved 2nd place having started from 18th on the grid due to a suspension failure in qualifying. Verstappen then earned his fifth career win in Mexico. He had been visibly upset after just missing out on becoming the youngest pole-sitter in Formula One history, with Ricciardo beating him to pole position by 0.026 seconds. Verstappen, however, had a much better start than Ricciardo and took the lead of the race into the first corner, overtaking the fast-starting Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton. He was poised to win the 