Verstappen the main character in 'most striking moment of 2025'

21:36, 23 Aug

byEstéban den Toom

Dutch F1 commentator Nelson Valkenburg joined Tim Hauraney's podcast, Nailing The Apex, where the Formula 1 season so far was discussed. One of the most striking moments were the pole rounds of Max Verstappen for the Grand Prix of Japan and the Grand Prix of Great Britain. The two were left astounded.

A topic of conversation during the podcast was the biggest surprise of the Formula 1 season so far: ''The biggest surprise is Max Verstappen's pole lap in Japan and Silverstone. Those were some of the greatest qualifying laps I think I've ever gotten to witness firsthand, especially the one at Silverstone,'' presenter Tim Hauraney stated.

''Being there for that and seeing what the team is doing and how much...just seeing the car as trimmed out as it was at the end of the session in person...''

Valkenburg interrupted him and also spoke about a miracle that Verstappen was on pole position in England and Japan: ''It's crazy. And then you think, how you're going to race with this wing. But for him to hang on to that lap was, one of the greatest feats we've maybe ever seen. It just underlines what level is hitting this year.''

Max Verstappen

State of affairs in Formula 1 with Verstappen

After the summer break, there are still ten races scheduled this season. The Grand Prix of Zandvoort is the next on the calendar.

The gap between the leader in the world championship, Oscar Piastri, and Verstappen in the standings has significantly increased. The Dutchman is currently 97 points behind the Australian with ten races to go.

This means that Verstappen needs to recover approximately ten points per race weekend, and also hope that Lando Norris does not pass Piastri. The Brit from Bristol has a deficit of nine points to make up on his teammate at McLaren.