International Media Hails Verstappen: "Undisputed, Genius, Monster"
Max Verstappen's remarkable comeback drive from the back of the grid, despite not winning, has drawn widespread praise from international media, who hailed him as "undisputed, genius, monster." Outlets like Marca, La Gazzetta dello Sport, and Esto recognized his exceptional skill and grit, solidifying his status as the best driver in F1, even as Lando Norris extended his championship lead.
International media outlets are united in their assessment: while Lando Norris secured a significant victory, Max Verstappen reaffirmed his status as the best driver on the Formula 1 grid with a remarkable comeback drive.
Why it matters:
Verstappen's ability to consistently deliver top-tier performances, even from the back of the grid, highlights his enduring dominance in Formula 1. This consistently strong showing, even when not winning, continues to raise the bar for his competitors and solidifies his reputation as a generational talent, influencing team strategies and driver development across the sport.
The details:
- Marca (Spain) acknowledged Norris's strong performance, extending his lead, but emphasized Verstappen's skill, stating, "He continues to prove that he is the best driver in the world. Undisputedly."
- La Gazzetta dello Sport (Italy) rated Verstappen an 8.5, calling his drive a "monster" despite rookie Kimi Antonelli holding him off. They noted his "usual grit, speed, and spectacular overtaking moves."
- In contrast, Lewis Hamilton received a five out of ten, with the newspaper commenting, "Maybe it's not entirely his fault, but he messed up a bit on the weekend."
- De Telegraaf (The Netherlands) praised Verstappen's comeback, reporting that his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, told him he "had driven like a race winner." Norris himself also stated Verstappen was likely the fastest man on track.
- Esto (Mexico) described Verstappen's drive as a "comeback that only geniuses can achieve" after starting 19th from the pit lane following a Q1 elimination.
The big picture:
Verstappen's performance in this race, despite not winning, underscores a recurring theme of the season: his unparalleled ability to recover and extract maximum performance from challenging situations. This resilience is a key factor in his championship campaigns and demonstrates the formidable combination of driver skill and Red Bull's strategic prowess. His consistent front-running pace, even when starting deep in the pack, indicates a fundamental advantage over much of the field.
What's next:
With Norris extending his lead, the pressure will be on Verstappen in the remaining races in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. While his individual performance continues to draw widespread acclaim, the focus will now shift to whether he can translate these impressive drives into victories to close the championship gap. The final races will be crucial in determining if any competitor can truly challenge his 'undisputed' status over a full season.