Martin Brundle names Max Verstappen as F1's best driver despite 2025 title loss
F1 commentator Martin Brundle believes Max Verstappen was the best driver of the 2025 season, despite Lando Norris winning the championship. Brundle praised Norris's title-winning mental strength and dominant performances but maintained Verstappen's underlying speed and consistency make him the grid's benchmark.
Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle has unequivocally named Max Verstappen as the finest driver on the 2025 Formula 1 grid, despite the Dutchman losing the championship to Lando Norris in the season finale. Brundle praised Norris's "super job" and mental fortitude but maintained that Verstappen's underlying performance level remains the benchmark.
Why it matters:
In a season where the narrative was defined by Lando Norris's maiden championship victory, Brundle's assessment shifts focus back to pure driver performance. His verdict underscores that winning the title and being the outright best driver are not always synonymous, highlighting Verstappen's relentless speed and consistency even in a year where the final points tally did not go his way.
The details:
- Brundle stated, "That would be Max," when asked to pick the season's best performer, adding that while Norris drove beautifully and showed immense strength, "you'd have to say Max is still the best driver on the grid."
- He was particularly impressed by Norris's dominant race wins, noting he had seen very few drivers perform at that level in his four decades in the sport.
- Verstappen's statistical case is strong: he ended the 2025 season with the most wins and pole positions, equalling Lewis Hamilton for second place on the all-time list for most wins in a season without claiming the title.
- The championship battle was dramatically shaped by Oscar Piastri's late-season slump. After leading for most of the year and winning in Zandvoort, the Australian's challenge faded, allowing Norris to seize command following his own retirement in the Netherlands and storm to the title.
The big picture:
Brundle's comments reflect a season of what-ifs and shifted momentum. Verstappen and Red Bull demonstrated raw pace but were ultimately caught by a surging McLaren and a flawlessly executed finish by Norris. The analysis suggests that even in a non-championship winning car, Verstappen's ability to extract maximum performance continues to set the standard, setting the stage for a compelling 2026 rivalry as McLaren looks to defend its crown against a motivated former champion.