Verstappen Voted Driver of the Day for Unbelievable São Paulo Comeback
Max Verstappen has been overwhelmingly voted the Driver of the Day for the 2025 São Paulo Grand Prix. The fan-voted award recognizes the Red Bull driver’s sensational recovery drive, which saw him charge from a pit lane start all the way to an « unexpected » third-place podium finish.
The award caps off a weekend of dramatic highs and lows for the reigning champion, whose Sunday performance stood in stark contrast to a disastrous qualifying session.
From Disaster to Determination
The context of the fan vote is what makes this award so clear-cut. Verstappen’s weekend appeared to be in ruins on Saturday. A chaotic and wet qualifying session, combined with a potential setup misstep, saw him shockingly eliminated in Q1.
Facing a P16 start, the Red Bull team opted for a strategic gamble. They chose to break parc fermé conditions to make significant setup adjustments to his car, forcing him to start the Grand Prix from the pit lane. This decision, while costing him even more track position, was crucial in giving him a car capable of fighting back on race day.
A Masterclass in Recovery
Verstappen’s drive on Sunday was a definitive display of race craft. From the moment the lights went out, he began a relentless charge through the pack. His progress was complicated by an early-race puncture that forced an unscheduled pit stop, dropping him to the back of the field once again.
Undeterred, Verstappen scythed his way past his rivals, executing numerous overtakes on a track known for creating exciting racing. His pace, combined with the optimized setup, allowed him to manage his tires effectively and consistently move forward. By the closing stages of the race, he had climbed into the top five and ultimately secured a P3 finish—a result that seemed impossible just 24 hours earlier.
A Clear Fan Favorite
The official Formula 1 « Driver of the Day » award is decided entirely by fans voting during the Grand Prix. The sheer volume of votes for Verstappen highlights how much his performance resonated with viewers around the world.
While Verstappen himself admitted he « didn’t expect to be on the podium at all, » the fans clearly felt the superhuman effort was worthy of recognition. His ability to turn a catastrophic weekend into a podium celebration was not only vital for his championship hopes but also provided the most compelling story of the day.
Sources
- Formula1.com. « Max Verstappen voted Driver of the Day for stunning São Paulo comeback. » (November 9, 2025).
- Autosport.com. « Fans crown Verstappen Driver of the Day after P16 to P3 recovery. » (November 9, 2025).
- Motorsport.com. « Verstappen : ‘Monter sur le podium, je ne m’y attendais pas du tout’. » (November 9, 2025).