Verstappen's Brazilian GP Comeback Named 2025's Best F1 Performance
Despite a Q1 exit, Max Verstappen's stunning recovery drive from the pit lane to a podium at the Brazilian GP has been hailed as the best performance of the 2025 F1 season by analysts Guenther Steiner and Jolyon Palmer.
Max Verstappen's incredible drive from the pit lane to a third-place finish at the São Paulo Grand Prix has been praised as the standout performance of the 2025 F1 season. Former team principal Guenther Steiner and F1 analyst Jolyon Palmer both highlighted the Dutchman's "Max Show" in Brazil as the year's best display of skill and tenacity. The comeback was particularly remarkable given Verstappen started the race weekend with a shock Q1 elimination.
Why it matters:
- This performance solidified Verstappen's reputation as a generational talent capable of winning from any position, a crucial narrative in a season where he didn't capture the title.
- The drive directly influenced the "driver of the year" debate, with Palmer notably selecting Verstappen over the eventual world champion, Lando Norris.
- It provided a defining, memorable moment for the 2025 season, encapsulating the drama and elite skill that define Formula 1.
The details:
- A disastrous start: Verstappen was eliminated in Q1 for the first time in his career on pure pace, qualifying a lowly 16th on the grid.
- Pit lane start: The situation worsened when Red Bull opted to make setup and power unit changes, forcing him to start the race from the pit lane.
- "The Max Show": Steiner, speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, called it "The Max show," emphasizing how impressive it was to see a driver move up so far from the back. He noted the race "was lost" before Verstappen's heroics.
- Expert consensus: F1 TV analyst and former driver Jolyon Palmer independently agreed, naming the Interlagos comeback as the single best performance of the year in his own end-of-season review.
Looking Ahead:
While the 2025 championship ultimately went to Lando Norris, Verstappen's Brazilian drive will be remembered as a signature performance that defined his season. It serves as a powerful reminder of his supreme race-craft and ability to overcome adversity, setting a high bar as the sport looks toward the new regulations in 2026.