P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen earned praise from many corners last year after narrowly missing out on a fifth consecutive F1 title.
Former F1 driver Derek Daly has praised Max Verstappen for his unique ability, which he believes sets him apart from other drivers and is unmatched in decades. Verstappen’s strong performance in the 2025 season, with six race wins and podium finishes in the final 10 grands prix, brought him back into title contention after being 104 points behind post-summer break. Despite missing out on the championship by just two points to Lando Norris, Verstappen was widely considered the best driver of the season by many, including RacingNews365. Daly highlighted Verstappen’s exceptional talent in reading and reacting to his racing environment instantly, which allows him to position himself for success like no other driver. Looking ahead to the future, Daly believes that if Red Bull can provide Verstappen with another competitive car, it will be difficult for any other driver to challenge him, making the upcoming seasons with new regulations even more fascinating.
