F1 fans vote Max Verstappen's Imola move on Oscar Piastri as 2025's best overtake
F1 fans have selected Max Verstappen's bold outside pass on Oscar Piastri on the opening lap of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix as the best overtake of the 2025 season. Verstappen's move, which secured him the lead en route to victory at Imola, topped a poll of eight nominated overtakes from throughout the championship year.
Max Verstappen has added another accolade to his 2025 season, with F1 fans voting his daring first-lap pass on Oscar Piastri at Imola as the best overtake of the year. The poll, which featured eight nominated moves from the season, saw the Red Bull driver's sole entry claim the top spot, highlighting a moment of pure aggression that set the tone for his race victory.
Why it matters:
In a season where the championship fight went down to the wire, these fan-voted moments capture the on-track bravery and skill that define Formula 1. While Lando Norris ultimately clinched his maiden title, Verstappen's recognition here underscores his relentless, opportunistic racing style that remained a constant threat. These overtakes often represent pivotal race moments that can shape strategies and outcomes.
The details:
- The official F1 fan poll presented eight overtakes for voting, with several drivers featuring multiple times.
- Verstappen's winning move occurred on the opening lap at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, where he swept around the outside of Oscar Piastri's McLaren into the first heavy braking zone to seize the lead.
- The complete list of nominees showcased a variety of drivers and circuits:
- Oscar Piastri vs. Lewis Hamilton, Australia
- Oscar Piastri vs. Lewis Hamilton, Saudi Arabia
- Max Verstappen vs. Oscar Piastri, Imola
- Lewis Hamilton vs. Liam Lawson, Austria
- Lewis Hamilton vs. George Russell & Esteban Ocon, Great Britain
- Charles Leclerc vs. George Russell, The Netherlands
- Oliver Bearman vs. Max Verstappen, Mexico
- Oscar Piastri vs. Lando Norris, Abu Dhabi
The big picture:
The nominated moves tell a story of the 2025 season. McLaren drivers Piastri and Norris feature prominently, reflecting their team's competitive car. Veterans like Hamilton and Verstappen show their enduring racecraft, while younger talents like Bearman and Lawson also earned recognition for standout moments. The diversity of the list—from season-opening rounds in Saudi Arabia and Australia to the finale in Abu Dhabi—shows thrilling battles were a constant throughout the year, even as the title narrative unfolded between Norris and Verstappen.
What's next:
While the 2025 season is in the books, the anticipation for 2026 begins. As teams develop cars for the new regulations, fans can expect the overtaking battles to evolve. The skill displayed in these moments will remain crucial, but the changing aerodynamic and power unit rules could create new opportunities and challenges for drivers attempting the kind of bold moves that topped this year's list.