Max Verstappen 'unique ability' revealed: 'As long as Max has that, no one can beat him'

Former F1 driver Derek Daly has highlighted a “unique ability” possessed by Max Verstappen, which he believes elevates him to a level that has not been seen in decades.

Verstappen enjoyed a strong end to the 2025 campaign and appeared on the podium at each of the final 10 grands prix.

This stretch included six race wins, which brought him back into contention for the title, having been a mammoth 104 points adrift following the return from the summer break.

Verstappen missed out on the title by just two points as Lando Norris held on to seal his maiden championship.

However, it was Verstappen who topped many people's list when it came to ranking the best driver of the season, including RacingNews365.

Assessing the four-time champion's talents, Daly stated Verstappen is operating at a level that has not been seen for decades.

“Max has a unique ability to read his environment much more than any other driver on the grid,” Daly exclusively told RacingNews365.

“He’s able to read and process and make decisions about things that are happening instantaneously on the racetrack - at the race start, at the first corner.

“And he has a higher ability to put himself in a position to be successful more than any other driver.

“So he knows that you've got to try and qualify on the pole. He has that light-fingered, light-touch ability to get the car right on the limit more than any other driver in F1 today.

“He then has the secondary ability to be emotionally neutral when the lights are all red. He makes a start, and has the ability to go around the very first corner to put himself in a position to be successful, in other words, control the race.

“He operates at a higher level than any other driver I've seen for decades.”

Verstappen will be hoping he still has machinery to compete at the front of the grid this year as the grid faces a reset through a regulation overhaul.

Daly has suggested the rest of the competition will have little chance to best the Dutchman if Red Bull produce another race-winning car.

“I wouldn't even know another driver who operates like him at that level at critical times,” he said.

“As long as he has that, it’s hard to beat - particularly if Red Bull give him a good car again. [2025] has been one of the most fascinating F1 seasons ever.

“And it is leading up to potentially an even more fascinating season next year with all these new regulations.”