Max Verstappen, the Dutch Formula 1 driver for Red Bull, has won the 2025 ESPY Award for Best Driver, marking his third straight win in this category. The recognition comes after Verstappen’s continued dominance in motorsport, having secured four consecutive F1 World Championships from 2021 through 2024. This year’s ESPY ceremony celebrated the most outstanding athletes, and Verstappen stood out once again among his peers.
Details of the 2025 ESPY Best Driver Nominees
The nominees for the 2025 Best Driver ESPY included Joey Logano, the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series champion; Álex Palou, the 2024 IndyCar champion; Oscar Piastri of McLaren; and Max Verstappen himself, who defended his F1 title in 2024. Despite strong competition, Verstappen’s consistent excellence and standout performances helped him earn the prestigious award.
Fan Reactions Highlight Verstappen’s Clear Superiority
Fans voiced their opinions across social media, predominantly praising Verstappen while expressing doubt over the other nominees. One supporter stated,
“He is miles clear of oscar lol,”
emphasizing the marked gap between Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Another fan humorously taunted McLaren with the comment,
“McLaren i can hear you people cry !”
and added, “Oscar WHOOOOOOOO?” suggesting a perceived lack of impact from Piastri’s campaign.
Joey Logano’s nomination also attracted criticism, with a user stating,
“Joey Logano in the conversation was hilarious,”
while another commented,
“lol they setup nascar for failure having Joey logano represent us, guy lucked into a mickey mouse championship and was the arguably worst champ since chase elliot.”
These remarks reveal the skepticism about Logano’s credentials compared to Verstappen’s achievements.
Verstappen’s Skill Shines Despite Car Disadvantages
Throughout the 2024 season, Verstappen drove the Red Bull RB20, a car considered inferior to McLaren’s performances that year. Nevertheless, his exceptional driving skills led him to claim nine wins and 14 podiums, securing the championship with a comfortable margin of over 60 points ahead of Lando Norris. Fans praised Verstappen for extracting every ounce of potential from what many regarded as a “subpar” vehicle.
“Max is arguably the greatest driver of all time…sometimes his machine matches his ability and then championships are automatic…this year he’s driving a garbage truck to 3rd place,” wrote a user.
Continuing the Battle into 2025 with the RB21
As the 2025 season progressed, McLaren continued to widen their car performance gap with upgrades, making Verstappen’s task even more challenging. Despite this, Verstappen managed to win several races and recently secured pole position at the British Grand Prix, maintaining pressure on his rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. His resilience and expertise have kept him competitive, even when driving a car that trails McLaren in speed and power.
The Broader Impact of Verstappen’s Dominance
Max Verstappen’s third consecutive ESPY Best Driver award reflects not only his personal talent but also his unwavering determination in the face of technical disadvantages. His ability to consistently outperform faster competitors underlines his status as one of the premier athletes in motorsport. This winning streak at the ESPYs, coupled with historic F1 championship victories, cements Verstappen’s legacy and sets the stage for an intense rivalry with emerging talents like Piastri.
Looking ahead, Verstappen’s performances in the remainder of the 2025 season will be closely watched as fans and analysts anticipate whether he can continue his winning momentum against increasingly competitive teams.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Max Verstappen a billionaire?
A. Different reports suggest that Max Verstappen has a net worth of around $210 million.
Q. Did Max Verstappen apologize?
A. Christian Horner shared that Max Verstappen said sorry to the Red Bull team after his crash with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix. This accident caused Verstappen to fall from fifth to tenth place, because of a 10-second penalty.
Q. Who did Max Verstappen lose respect for?
A. Max Verstappen stated he “lost all respect” for George Russell following a stewards’ meeting in Qatar about a qualifying incident in Formula 1.
Q. Has Max Verstappen apologized to Lando Norris?
A. He doesn’t have to apologize. I don’t think an apology is necessary from him. In my view, it was competitive racing. Sometimes, it seemed quite intense, but we’ve talked it over. We’re ready and excited to compete again.
