I have followed Formula 1 very closely since 1964 and I believe that Max Verstappen is edging closer to Michael Schumacher as the best all round Formula 1 driver of the modern era (April 1968 to present. It has to be the Modern era, as a lot of my generation are still alive, possibly for another 30 years). Max wins against all odds, he is consistent, doesn't have the fastest or best car, but shows skill, judgement and determination that others have lacked. He is not my favourite, but Charles still tries. I believe that he has reached that point where he will compensate for other peoples errors and chuckle at their lack of experience. He is now a complete winner and stands alone as the one to beat, even though he is only 3rd in the World Championship and a few races ago, the McLaren team were deciding which of their drivers was going to win the championship.
F1 and Max Verstappen
- Thread starter BeeEmm
- Start date
I think you are right... Oscar is feeling pressure, hard done by by the team... Norris is on edge, battling with his team mate... meanwhile, Max is having fun it seems... just driving his car like he does all the time... Max's strength is he wins the mental game every day of the week! (that, and he is next level brilliant driver!)
The only thing I’d change to that Guthlac is his form has been the same for the last 5 seasons with no dips, it’s the car later this season that they’ve extracted a little more from, but generally it’s been a knifedge dog of a car that only Max can get any real performance from. I’m being pedantic though I know.
Max is a phenomenon.
I’ve got everything crossed for Lando, if he wins it he’ll deserve it more than Piastri as he’s had the teams only mechanical DNF and is now 24 points clear despite that. Lando was struggling with the car earlier in the season, couldn’t get the potential from it but since the summer break he’s found its Achilles heel. Seems Piastri has just folded under pressure and lost his head.
Max is a phenomenon.
I’ve got everything crossed for Lando, if he wins it he’ll deserve it more than Piastri as he’s had the teams only mechanical DNF and is now 24 points clear despite that. Lando was struggling with the car earlier in the season, couldn’t get the potential from it but since the summer break he’s found its Achilles heel. Seems Piastri has just folded under pressure and lost his head.
At the summit of the picturesque fens
I don't like Verstappen one bit......but.....he is probably the best all round driver the sport has seen for a long, long time (if ever). I personally think his attitude on the track from the beginning has helped him; they all know that if he is anywhere near them, he ain't gonna play nice so they tend to get out of his way (or end up crashing), therefore he doesn't need to be the best at 'out-thinking' his rivals on the track.
It is very hard to tell for us spectators IMO, as there are so many tiny things that can make a big difference in F1 these days.
The only problem Red Bull have is that no-one else except Max can drive the car because it has been developed around him alone and it's common knowledge that his driving style is quite different to everyone else's.
It is very hard to tell for us spectators IMO, as there are so many tiny things that can make a big difference in F1 these days.
The only problem Red Bull have is that no-one else except Max can drive the car because it has been developed around him alone and it's common knowledge that his driving style is quite different to everyone else's.
Max is one in a generation type driver.
But he his is own worst enemy and see’s the red mist far to easily for someone at the pinnacle of motorsport
He has pulled some of the best manoeuvres and the worst in two consecutive laps.
But yesterday he drove brilliantly and every move was clean and precise.
But he his is own worst enemy and see’s the red mist far to easily for someone at the pinnacle of motorsport
He has pulled some of the best manoeuvres and the worst in two consecutive laps.
But yesterday he drove brilliantly and every move was clean and precise.
Well, Max won today (30/11/2025) and has taken the Formula 1 World Championship to the final race. It is a testament to his ability against the odds that he is in this position. In the championship standings he is second to Lando Norris 396 points to Norris's 408 and Piastri's 392. If ever there was a test of a driver's ability, it has been this season. McLaren were running away with the title, and the talk was who would win, Norris or Piastri. Max has shown that he is truly a great World Champion and one of the greatest of all time. (he cannot possibly be better than Jim Clarke). I know a lot on this Forum don't like Max, mainly because in his early Formula 1 years, he was, lets say, a little progressive. Now, he is a mature, driver who thinks about best tactics and has a winning mentality that none of the current crop can match. Today's race was exciting, because it was a potential Word Championship race, the next race is without doubt, that. I, for one, cannot wait.
He can certainly drive his F1 car like no one else and has become a very good driver, developing his immense talent continually. I know all the greats need that chip on their shoulder to succeed, but his is still too much for me.
I caught the end of the highlights today, having not followed social media or switched on a TV for a month. From the standings I must assume he has done many things right since I last looked. But Maclared gave him that one.
I caught the end of the highlights today, having not followed social media or switched on a TV for a month. From the standings I must assume he has done many things right since I last looked. But Maclared gave him that one.
I'm gonna say it.... I actually hope max wins. Not sure either mclaren driver is really world champion material, and it would actually be a huge underdog story if max overturns a 100 point deficit to win.
And it really wouldn't be that hard for lando/mclaren to bungle his race so he finishes down in 5th or whatever.
And it really wouldn't be that hard for lando/mclaren to bungle his race so he finishes down in 5th or whatever.
if you want exciting TV don't watch Manchester United, but do switch on to the final race of the F1 season. Max Verstappen is in pole position (he achieved 2 pole position laps in the final qualifying stint). You need to watch the 'build up' for the tension to bite as it may be all over at the first corner. Forget the Max from the past, the 2025 version is a true World Champion racing against faster and more reliable cars. "It's all about balance" someone said, and the McLaren's have almost perfected that, which means that they can go further on tyres. Lando Norris only needs to finish 3rd to win the title, regardless of what Max or Oscar do, but I really hope that he doesn't sit back in lots of space to achieve that. I am hyped up already and really looking forward to this last contest.
I think Russell might spoil his day with that one… If Verstappen manages to back Norris into the pack, Russell will smell blood… and he’s already said he is not going to go easy if there is an opportunity, as he wants to finish the season on the podium!
Agreed, and Russell might drag Leclerc into the mix. Looking forward to this one.
The only reason Max stayed in contention was the McLaren drivers kept taking points off each other. McLarens won 12 races, 6 each, and Max only 8.
He is an incredible talent but I just can't warm to him - he still can't control himself at times, like when he crashed into George Russell in Spain.
If the Mercedes PU for next season is as good as rumours suggest it may be George Russell who dominates. He won the F2 title ahead of Lando in 2018 after all, although the McLarens will have the same engine.
He is an incredible talent but I just can't warm to him - he still can't control himself at times, like when he crashed into George Russell in Spain.
If the Mercedes PU for next season is as good as rumours suggest it may be George Russell who dominates. He won the F2 title ahead of Lando in 2018 after all, although the McLarens will have the same engine.
Max Verstappen doesn't seem happy with the new F1 cars.
Here is more on this: https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/...-new-f1-2026-cars-formula-e-steroids-red-bull
Here is more on this: https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/...-new-f1-2026-cars-formula-e-steroids-red-bull
I love his attitude, to be honest. Other drivers are so caught up in fame, titles etc... Max has so much money he can do whatever he wants in life and just wants to have fun! Would love to see him do something totally off the wall, like Superbikes!
I'd quite like to see how he'd get on at indycar. Slower over a lap yes, but a lot more involving to drive.
Or aussie v8 supercars. Lotsa power, minimal downforce. seemed to enjoy it a lot on the latest RB/ford promotional video.
Or aussie v8 supercars. Lotsa power, minimal downforce. seemed to enjoy it a lot on the latest RB/ford promotional video.
Way too early to tell obvs but if these cars don’t improve how you have to coast into a corner rather than late brake as much as possible, coast and throttle round the corners to harvest lekky, have to monitor how much throttle is used on the straights to harvest etc, I reckon he’ll quit when he’s 30 in a couple of years.
He doesn't possess an ego, and if he’s not racing as it should be he’ll be gone, he’s a pure racer, not an egotistical me me me merchant.
The new cars look fabulous imo, but it’s really not in the spirit of F1 to have to coast and harvest, but I get the reason.
Meh, nothing stays the same, first world issues and all that….
He doesn't possess an ego, and if he’s not racing as it should be he’ll be gone, he’s a pure racer, not an egotistical me me me merchant.
The new cars look fabulous imo, but it’s really not in the spirit of F1 to have to coast and harvest, but I get the reason.
Meh, nothing stays the same, first world issues and all that….