“Verstappen Was the Most Exceptional Driver of All in 2025”—Grosjean’s Stunning Verdict

The former F1 driver hailed Verstappen’s “miraculous” comeback from a 104-point deficit to just two points behind Lando Norris in Abu Dhabi as “the greatest performance of his career”—even surpassing his 2021 title win. “He didn’t have a good car, lost a lot of points, and it was a miracle that he came back into the fight,” Grosjean told beIN Sports.

The Comeback: 104 Points Down

Verstappen’s 2025 season was a rollercoaster. After 15 rounds, he trailed championship leader Oscar Piastri by 104 points in a struggling RB21. The turnaround from the Dutch GP onward was historic, winning six of the last nine races.

Key Race	Impact
Dutch GP	Sparked the comeback with the first of 6 wins in 9 races.
Qatar GP	Win cut the gap to 12 points after McLaren error.
Las Vegas GP	Norris/Piastri DQ helped close gap to just 2 points.
Abu Dhabi GP	71st career win, but lost title by 2 points.

Why 2025 Was His “Best Season Ever”

Grosjean ranks 2025 above Verstappen’s dominant 2023 season. Unlike 2023, where the Red Bull was untouchable, the 2025 car was often second-best. “He had to fight for every point. That’s what made it special,” Grosjean argued. He noted Verstappen’s mental shift from « Mad Max » to a relaxed, ruthless strategist who inspired the grid.

“To come back from so far behind, with a car that wasn’t the best… that’s why I say he was the most outstanding driver of 2025. Not even his four titles compare.”
— Romain Grosjean

Verstappen vs. Norris: The Stats

While acknowledging Lando Norris as a worthy champion, Grosjean insisted Verstappen’s season was statistically and performatively superior in difficult circumstances.

Metric	Max Verstappen	Lando Norris
Wins	8	7
Poles	8	7
Comeback	104 pts → 2 pts	34 pts → Champion

Conclusion

Romain Grosjean’s verdict is unequivocal: Max Verstappen’s 2025 season was his “most exceptional”—not because he won, but because he almost did the impossible. In a year where Lando Norris became champion, Verstappen’s relentless pursuit redefined what it means to be a racing legend.