Five Max Verstappen moments that stunned the F1 paddock

Two points – that was the difference between a fifth world title and four championships for Max Verstappen in Formula 1. 

After a valiant comeback having been 104 points adrift after the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen fell just short of beating Lando Norris to the crown in Abu Dhabi. 

However, the Dutchman should not be too disappointed. In fact, he can look back on one of the finest, if not the very best, seasons of his F1 career. 

RacingNews365 highlights five moments where Verstappen proved that while he may have lost the #1, he remains the #1 in the pinnacle of motorsport.

Verstappen's Japanese GP perfection

The qualifying session at Suzuka delivered perhaps the most unexpected moment of the entire season. 

After a disastrous start to the year for Red Bull, with an RB21 that was unpredictable and unstable, it seemed inconceivable that Verstappen could beat McLaren on pure speed. But on Saturday, April 5, the Dutchman proved that class is timeless.

With a 1:26.983, he snatched pole from Norris with a difference of just 0.012s. It was a lap that came in the final seconds of Q3, when everyone thought Norris would take pole. Verstappen had opted for a low-downforce setup, a strategic gamble that worked out perfectly.

It marked the perfect start to a final grand prix on Japanese soil for Red Bull with engine manufacturer Honda, made even sweeter by Verstappen securing the race win.

Verstappen's stunning Emilia Romagna GP overtake

The seventh race of the season at the iconic Imola circuit ultimately proved to be the one that earned Max Verstappen the Action of the Year award in the F1 category at the FIA prize-giving gala, as well as F1’s Overtake of the Year award.

Oscar Piastri started the race from pole position, but Verstappen had other plans. At the first corner complex — the Tamburello chicane — the Red Bull driver showed why he is among the world’s very best, despite making a poor initial launch.

Verstappen chose the outside line, braking late and deep, and positioned his car alongside Piastri’s. It was a move that required courage, precision, and perfect timing. Piastri, who was focused on defending against George Russell, was caught out by Verstappen’s aggressiveness.

Once past the Australian, Verstappen went on to control the race. He later took advantage of a free pit stop during a safety car period and executed a perfect restart with 10 laps to go, sealing his second victory of the 2025 season.

A record-breaking Italian GP performance

On Saturday, 6 September, Verstappen made history at the Monza circuit. With a lap time of 1:18.792, he set an outright speed record in Formula 1’s 75-year history. 

His average speed of 264.681 km/h (164.465 mph) made it officially the fastest lap ever recorded. As a result, Verstappen broke Lewis Hamilton’s 2020 benchmark. 

The Red Bull driver was just over a tenth of a second quicker than the seven-time world champion. Verstappen attributed the performance in part to improvements to the circuit itself, with the new asphalt and revamped kerbs playing a role. 

However, he also admitted the following: "I think the 2020 Mercedes would still be faster if you put it on the track now."

One day later, he won the race at Monza by almost 20 seconds, while breaking yet another record. Sunday’s race was the fastest in the history of the sport, with an average speed of 250.706 km/h (155.78 mph)

Verstappen seals sixth career grand chelem with Baku brilliance

In Azerbaijan, Verstappen delivered a dominant weekend. Starting from pole position, he led all 51 laps and also set the fastest lap of the race to complete a perfect grand chelem. 

It was the sixth grand chelem of his F1 career, drawing him level with Lewis Hamilton. Only Jim Clark remains ahead of the pair, with eight grand chelems to his name.

Verstappen controlled the race from the very first metre and did not relinquish the lead at any point — not even during his sole pit stop, as he rejoined the circuit comfortably ahead of George Russell. 

He then pulled clear to secure a commanding victory, finishing more than 14 seconds ahead of Russell.

Brazil GP: the ultimate catch-up race

In Brazil, Verstappen delivered perhaps the most impressive performance of the entire season. After a dramatic qualifying session, in which the Dutchman was eliminated as early as Q1 and qualified 16th, Red Bull opted for a strategic gamble: fitting a completely new Honda power unit and making set-up changes under parc fermé conditions.

This decision resulted in a pit-lane start, but the drama was far from over. An early puncture forced Verstappen to pit almost immediately. 

From that point on, one of the most remarkable overtaking drives in modern F1 unfolded, as Verstappen charged through the field to finish third.

In doing so, Verstappen joined an exclusive group of just eight drivers in F1 history to score a podium finish after starting from the pit lane. He also came agonisingly close to Kimi Antonelli’s second place, falling short by just a few tenths of a second.