Yet Brown has pointed at the battle behind Red Bull and Verstappen as testament to the fact that F1 still has plenty of plot-lines worth following.
Brown: F1 still competitive despite Verstappen
"We face a formidable challenge next season in continuing to close the gap to the front," he penned in an open letter to the fans.
"All teams are locked in a quest for car development and greater pace that is just as fierce off the track as it is on it, but our team will rise to the challenge with its usual determination and relentless dedication...
"All year long, the battle amongst the rest of the field has been intense, which enthralled Formula 1 fans across the globe...
"Mercedes, Ferrari and Aston Martin didn’t make it easy for us, but we pushed at every race on each and every lap, resulting in a thrilling finish where the final positions in the FIA Formula 1 constructors’ world championship were only decided at the 23rd — and last round — of the season.
"Never before have five different teams scored seven podiums in the same season, which just goes to underscore the competitive nature of the grid this year."