Martin Brundle has chosen Max Verstappen, the F1 championship runner-up, as his standout driver for the 2025 season. Verstappen concluded the year with a third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, narrowly missing out on securing his fifth consecutive world title by just two points, which was claimed by McLaren’s Lando Norris, who won his first championship.
Despite Red Bull’s car being less competitive than McLaren’s for much of the year, Verstappen achieved the most race wins (eight) and matched the highest number of pole positions. After a remarkable comeback post-summer break, Verstappen closed a 104-point deficit to just two points over nine races, coming very close to becoming a five-time world champion. This impressive performance was what earned Verstappen Brundle’s highest praise.
Brundle acknowledged Norris’s strong performance, highlighting his mental resilience throughout the season’s many ups and downs. Norris, who won races in Melbourne, Monaco, Austria, Silverstone, Hungary, Mexico, and Brazil, and stood on the podium 18 times, overcame challenges such as a collision with teammate Oscar Piastri in Canada, technical issues, and strategic errors to ultimately become world champion. Brundle noted Norris’s improved racecraft, strategic driving, and better handling of pressure, making his title victory well deserved.
Fan Take: Choosing Verstappen as the top driver underscores the fierce competition driving F1 forward, showcasing exceptional talent even without the fastest car. Norris’s breakthrough as champion alongside Verstappen’s fight reflects a thrilling shift in the sport, promising exciting seasons ahead for fans worldwide.
