Max Verstappen once again showcased his remarkable ability to secure pole positions in Formula 1 qualifying sessions, even as his challenges at the Miami Grand Prix raised questions about his race pace. Throughout the 2025 season, while McLaren has emerged as the dominant force on race day with five wins out of six grands prix, Verstappen remains the undisputed king when it comes to qualifying, snatching poles in Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Miami. This consistency puzzles observers, especially those like seven-time F1 grand prix winner Juan Pablo Montoya, who repeatedly expects Verstappen to struggle, only to see the Red Bull driver produce stunning one-lap performances just when it counts.
At the start of the 2025 F1 season, the McLaren MCL39 was widely regarded as the strongest car, a prediction that quickly proved accurate given McLaren’s impressive haul of victories. Oscar Piastri has claimed four of those wins, with Lando Norris taking the other, but crucially, only three victories came from pole position. Verstappen’s Red Bull RB21, however, has shown a unique knack for excelling in qualifying, frequently overcoming a quiet start to the race weekend to launch a fierce pole challenge in Q3, demonstrating why he remains a formidable force despite the rising strength of his rivals.
In a recent appearance on Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz ‘Ted’s Notebook,’ Juan Pablo Montoya expressed his frustration and amazement at Verstappen’s qualifying prowess. Montoya explained,
He added with a wry tone,
Such comments highlight the intense pressure Verstappen places on his competitors, who find his capacity to deliver pole laps under immense scrutiny both impressive and vexing.
At the Miami GP race start, Verstappen overcame a strong challenge from Lando Norris but ultimately could not keep pace with the dominant McLaren duo. While Verstappen briefly held up Piastri and Norris, the McLaren teammates managed a commanding one-two finish, with Verstappen settling for fourth place, trailing Piastri by approximately 40 seconds. This stark contrast between Verstappen’s qualifying heroics and race day struggles at Miami underscores the complex dynamics of the 2025 season, where qualifying speed does not always translate to race success.
During the Miami GP weekend, Red Bull raised concerns regarding the legality of McLaren’s MCL39, particularly focusing on its exceptional tyre management, a factor that gave McLaren a crucial edge in race conditions. This sparked a playful response from McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, who cheekily brandished a ‘tire water’ bottle, inviting any protests from Red Bull, illustrating the simmering tension between the two teams. Verstappen, when questioned by media including PlanetF1.com, acknowledged this strength, noting,
He elaborated,
Verstappen’s candid admission reflects both respect for McLaren’s race execution and a recognition of the challenge he faces translating his qualifying dominance into consistent race results.
Max Verstappen’s unique ability to dominate qualifying sessions, despite challenges during actual races like Miami, further solidifies his reputation as a master of one-lap pace. This contrast raises important questions about race strategy, tyre management, and car performance that will shape the remainder of the 2025 season. As McLaren pushes to convert its race-day advantage into qualifying speed, the ongoing rivalry promises to intensify, setting the stage for thrilling battles at upcoming grands prix. Verstappen’s resilience and relentless pursuit of pole positions keep fans and rivals alike on edge, anticipating whether he can break past his current race pace obstacles and reclaim that same level of dominance on Sunday afternoons.
