Villeneuve: Verstappen Proved He's in a 'League of Great Champions'

1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has declared Max Verstappen the "star of the year" for the 2025 season, highlighting the Dutch driver's incredible comeback to narrowly miss the title. Despite trailing Lando Norris by a massive 104 points after the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen won the final three races to finish just two points shy, a performance Villeneuve believes solidifies his status among the sport's all-time greats.

Why it matters:

Villeneuve's endorsement carries significant weight, coming from a former champion who understands the immense pressure and skill required at the pinnacle of motorsport. His comments frame Verstappen's 2025 campaign not as a failure, but as a legendary drive that transcended the capabilities of his machinery. This narrative reinforces Verstappen's reputation as a generational talent whose greatness is not solely defined by championships.

The details:

• The comeback: Verstappen mounted a stunning charge, overcoming a 104-point deficit to put himself in a position to challenge for the title on the final weekend.
• Late-season dominance: He won the season's last three rounds, applying relentless pressure on McLaren and Lando Norris.
• Praise from a champion: Villeneuve stated, "No doubt, Verstappen was the star of the year... He’s in a different league. He’s in the league of all the great champions that there have been."
• Out-driving the car: The Canadian emphasized that Verstappen "out-drove that car so well that he put himself in the championship picture when he shouldn’t have been."
• Key continuity: Looking ahead, Verstappen received a major boost with the confirmation that his long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will remain with Red Bull Racing for 2026.

Looking Ahead:

While the 2025 title ultimately went to Norris, Verstappen's masterful end-of-season performance has set the stage for a compelling 2026. With the confidence from this year's fight and the crucial continuity of his race engineer, all eyes will be on Red Bull to see if they can provide him with a car capable of converting his undeniable talent into a championship challenge from race one.