Max Verstappen has shown consistent racing intelligence throughout his Formula 1 career. His choices on the track often combine speed with precision, allowing him to create opportunities or avoid disaster. These moments highlight the kind of thinking and execution that define a true racing mind.
1. 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix Wet Weather Drive
In extremely wet conditions, Verstappen climbed from 14th to 3rd in the final stages of the race. He found grip where others couldn’t and avoided major mistakes on a soaked track. His car control and ability to read the surface stood out. It was one of the best wet-weather performances of the modern era.
2. Late-Braking Overtake on Leclerc, Austria 2019
With a few laps to go, Verstappen pulled off a hard but clean overtake on Charles Leclerc into Turn 3. He positioned the car to block a counterattack immediately. The move was carefully timed and required absolute confidence in his braking. It secured his first win of the 2019 season.
3. Tire Strategy Call, United States GP 2021
Verstappen made an early second pit stop, choosing an undercut against Lewis Hamilton. He managed tire wear for over 25 laps while under pressure. His ability to adjust his pace and conserve his tires helped him maintain the lead. The decision and execution won him the race.
4. Split-Second Reaction Avoiding Crash, Spain 2016
When Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton collided on the opening lap, Verstappen avoided the incident cleanly. He took the correct line to avoid debris and held position. At 18 years old, he remained calm in chaos. It set up his historic race win, his first in F1.
5. Holding Off Hamilton, Abu Dhabi 2021 Final Lap
After a late safety car restart, Verstappen defended from Hamilton in a one-lap shootout. He used fresher tires and took tight lines to block overtaking chances. The pressure was massive, but he executed each corner precisely. It secured him the 2021 world title.
6. First Lap Aggression, Mexico GP 2021
Starting third, Verstappen took the outside line into Turn 1, braking later than both Mercedes cars. He made the move stick without contact. The positioning showed confidence and excellent spatial awareness. He took the race lead by the first corner.
7. Controlling the Pace, Monaco GP 2023
Despite narrow streets and close gaps, Verstappen stayed in control during changing weather conditions. He adjusted his braking points and tire inputs lap by lap. The decision-making was constant and detailed. He stayed mistake-free in one of the most difficult races of the year.
8. Saving a Snap in 130R, Japan 2022 Qualifying
Verstappen nearly lost control at the high-speed 130R corner during a fast qualifying lap. He corrected the car instantly and still set a strong lap time. The correction took a fraction of a second. His car control under pressure was unmatched.
9. Overtake on Hamilton at Copse Corner, Silverstone 2021 (Opening Lap)
On the first lap of the race, Verstappen held his ground through one of the fastest corners on the calendar. He took a defensive position and didn’t back off. Though the lap ended in contact later, the move showed courage and commitment. It highlighted his aggressive but calculated style.
10. Switchback Move on Russell, Spain 2023
When George Russell tried to pass, Verstappen let him go wide and performed a perfect switchback. He regained the position within seconds. The move showed race intelligence and patience. It avoided unnecessary wheel-to-wheel risk.
11. Reading the Wind Conditions, Zandvoort 2023
In tricky wind conditions during qualifying, Verstappen made setup and line adjustments based on real-time feedback. His lap times improved as others struggled. He adapted corner entry speeds with precision. It showed how quickly he processes track information.
12. Managing Tires While Building a Lead, Belgium GP 2022
Starting from 14th due to grid penalties, Verstappen climbed to the front without overheating the tires. He overtook efficiently and avoided pushing too hard early. Once in clean air, he extended the gap lap by lap. His race management was nearly flawless.
