Formula 1 News: Verstappen’s win in the Italian GP again proves why he is the greatest
In the high-octane world of Formula 1, where precision, courage, and raw talent collide, Max Verstappen (pictured) stands as a colossus, a driver whose name is etched into the sport’s storied history as one of its greatest.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
His journey from a fearless teenage prodigy to a four-time world champion is a testament to an extraordinary blend of skill, determination, and an almost supernatural ability to extract the impossible from any car he drives. The 2025 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where Verstappen delivered a masterclass to claim victory, serves as a vivid reminder of why he is hailed as the driver of his generation—a phenomenon, as 1996 world champion Damon Hill aptly described him.
Verstappen’s triumph at Monza was no ordinary win. Starting from pole position after setting the fastest lap in F1 history during qualifying, he navigated a dramatic opening lap, tussling wheel-to-wheel with McLaren’s Lando Norris, briefly ceding the lead to avoid a penalty before reclaiming it with a daring move on lap four. From there, he was untouchable, cruising to a 19-second victory over Norris and Oscar Piastri, despite Red Bull’s RB21 not being the fastest car on the grid.
Yet the scale of Verstappen’s dominance stunned the paddock. “Today, one driver made everyone look ridiculous,” admitted Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
This was Verstappen at his finest—turning a challenging season into a showcase of his unparalleled talent. Damon Hill, once critical of Verstappen’s aggressive tactics, took to X to praise him, writing, “There is no getting away from the fact that Max Verstappen is the driver of this age. He’s a cut above in almost every respect. A phenomenon, actually.”
What makes Verstappen the greatest is not just his 66 career victories, 45 pole positions, or four consecutive world championships from 2021 to 2024. It’s his ability to transcend the limitations of his machinery.
In 2025, Red Bull faced an uphill battle, trailing McLaren in performance and grappling with internal changes, including the departure of long-time team principal Christian Horner.
Yet Verstappen, undeterred, consistently delivered results that defied expectations. His pole lap at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, described by BBC Sport’s Andrew Benson as “one of the greatest of all time,” and his wet-weather brilliance in São Paulo showcased a driver operating on a different plane.
Former F1 driver Eddie Irvine called him “by far the most dominant team leader on the grid,” noting that no teammate—across multiple seasons—has come close to matching him.
Verstappen’s greatness lies in his relentless adaptability. Whether it’s a low-downforce setup at Monza, where he admitted braking mistakes are easy, or a high-pressure title fight, he finds a way to win.
His 2021 championship duel with Lewis Hamilton, decided on the final lap of the final race, revealed a steely resolve that has since defined him. In 2022 and 2023, he shattered records, including the most wins in a season (19) and the most podiums (21).
Even in 2024, driving for a third-placed Red Bull team, he clinched the title, a feat not accomplished since Nelson Piquet in 1983.
His peers and predecessors see it too. Jenson Button marveled at how Verstappen “annihilated” his teammates, a rarity in modern F1. Jolyon Palmer predicted a “new era of dominance” after Verstappen’s first title, a prophecy that has largely come true.
Even Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time champion, defended a young Verstappen in 2016, saying, “Give the guy a break, he is 18 years old.”
That raw potential, evident when Verstappen became the youngest Grand Prix winner in 2016 at Spain, has evolved into a mastery that blends aggression, precision, and strategic brilliance.
Off the track, Verstappen’s versatility shines. In 2024, he tested a Ferrari 296 GT3, leaving team principal Lorenz Frey-Hilti in awe, stating, “If something has four wheels, then [he’s fast in it].” In 2025, under the pseudonym “Franz Hermann,” he reportedly set an unofficial GT3 lap record at the Nürburgring, further proof of his universal driving prowess.
Yet, Verstappen’s greatness isn’t without its complexities. His uncompromising style has drawn criticism, from penalties in the 2021 Saudi Grand Prix to a publicized feud with George Russell in Qatar. But these moments only underscore his fierce competitive spirit, reminiscent of Michael Schumacher, as noted by Karun Chandhok. Verstappen doesn’t just race; he battles, leaving no inch uncontested.
At Monza, as the Tifosi roared and McLaren grappled with their own team orders drama, Verstappen stood alone, a driver who turned a challenging season into a statement of supremacy. His ability to deliver under pressure, to make a less competitive car sing, and to consistently outshine his rivals cements his place not just as the driver of this age, but as one of the greatest in Formula 1 history. As Hill said, he is a phenomenon—a force that continues to redefine what’s possible on four wheels.