Max Verstappen poses during the Oracle Red Bull Racing brand shoot, while wearing the 2025 Sparco Race suit on February 16, 2025 // Will Cornelius / Content Pool /

F1 News: Verstappen named best driver in world 3rd year in row

Red Bull Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen has won the 2025 ESPYS (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards) Best Driver award for the third time in a row.

Verstappen beat out NASCAR driver Joey Logano, IndyCar driver Alex Palou, and fellow Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri by defeating Lando Norris of McLaren despite having an inferior Red Bull RB20 race car.

Verstappen won the best driver award in 2023, 2024 and now in 2025. The award recognizes achievements from the previous year.

Related Article2023: Verstappen wins ESPY award as best driver in the world

Despite having to drive such an inferior race car, the Dutchman claimed nine wins, eight pole positions, and 14 podiums. He won the 2024 F1 World Championship title by a margin of 63 points.

2024 F1 World Drivers Champion Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates with race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool