Best I’ve ever driven despite F1 title defeat to Norris

Max Verstappen said this is the best he has ever driven despite Lando Norris ending his Formula 1 title streak at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

The Red Bull driver started the year having won the last four championships and could have potentially made it five when he entered the 2025 finale 12 points behind Norris.

But victory at Yas Marina wasn’t enough, as the Briton took the third place he needed to claim a maiden championship and finish two points above Verstappen in the standings. 

Key to the title was McLaren starting with the dominant car, as it won 12 of the opening 15 grands prix, but then Red Bull salvaged its campaign with upgrades for round 16 at Monza.

Since then Verstappen has won six of nine grands prix, adding to wins at Suzuka and Imola earlier in the year. 

So the way he was still able to fight for a fifth F1 crown despite having an inferior car for much of the year caused the Dutchman to be asked whether this is the best he’s ever driven.

“Yeah I think so,” was his response. “I have no regrets of my season. The performance has been strong, I’ve hated this car at times but I’ve also loved it at times and I always try to extract the most of it even in the difficult weekends that we have had.

“It’s been a proper rollercoaster with the car, but luckily the last I would say eight, nine rounds in general have been a lot more enjoyable and also in the team we have a great atmosphere at the moment, we’re really on a roll, positive energy, belief, confidence and that’s exactly what you want also heading into next year.”

So Verstappen is ending 2025 happier than he started it, as well as how he ended 2024, when he just about clinched a fourth title following a McLaren resurgence, led by Norris, in the second half of that season.

“It’s always nicer to win it,” added Verstappen. “But honestly I’m sitting here now with probably a better feeling than what I had last year at this time, because the second half of last year was pretty tricky.

“So we have been struggling for, I would say, a year. The second half of last year and the first half of this year. But I actually feel a lot better now.

“Shame to miss out on the title, but at the same time for a long period of time I was not even thinking about the title. I never felt like I was in it until a few rounds ago, so that’s pretty crazy.

“But you take your pride in different ways. I’m happy with myself and also into next year I’m not in a state of having to worry about my skills or whatever, so yeah, I feel good.”

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– The Autosport.com Team