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Fifth at the finish line, but at the heart of every battle: Max Verstappen was named Driver of the Day in Miami, and it's no coincidence. In an action-packed race, the Dutchman delivered one of the most competitive performances of the weekend.
The raw result might be misleading. Starting from the front row, Max Verstappen saw his race take a dramatic turn right from the start with a spectacular spin that dropped him to the back of the top 10. It was far from an ideal start to the Grand Prix… but it certainly didn't bring him down.
For behind the pack, the Red Bull driver embarked on a methodical climb back up the field. With repeated overtakes, careful management of his new hard tires, and a smart reading of the race, Verstappen gradually closed in on the leading group. In just a few laps, he strung together passes on Ocon, Bearman, and Albon, before rejoining the battle for the top positions.
Long in third place after the flurry of pit stops, he held his own against the Ferraris and McLarens, before eventually yielding at the end of the race to competitors better equipped strategically. But the real story lay elsewhere: in the intensity of his driving and his ability to maximize a Red Bull that was still lagging behind.
On a weekend when the Austrian team was still finding its footing, Verstappen reminded everyone why he remains a benchmark in the field. Always on the attack, never resigned to defeat, he put on a show right up to the final lap.
A commitment celebrated by the fans, who overwhelmingly backed him:
- Max Verstappen – 26.3%
- Kimi Antonelli – 18.3%
- Charles Leclerc – 13.2%
- Franco Colapinto – 11%
- Lando Norris – 9.2%
A Top 5 that reflects an exciting race… but one dominated in the voting by a single man: the one who, even when struggling, clearly never gives up.
