F1 Pundit Reveals Max Verstappen’s ‘Biggest Surprise’ in 2025

Dutch F1 presenter Tim Hauraney mentioned the biggest on-track surprise from Max Verstappen this season.

F1 Pundit Reveals Max Verstappen’s ‘Biggest Surprise’ in 2025

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

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Max Verstappen and Red Bull are having a difficult run in 2025. The reigning world champion is struggling to match the two McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Red Bull is simply not as quick as the Woking-based team. Yet, Verstappen has still managed to exceed expectations on certain occasions. Now, F1 presenter Tim Hauraney has named the biggest surprise from the Dutch driver this year.

Since the start of the season, Max Verstappen has remained on the backfoot. The Red Bull RB21 just doesn’t have the pace to fight for wins. However, the reigning world champion still managed to bag two victories earlier this year. The situation has become worse in the last few rounds, with Verstappen accepting that he was no longer in the championship battle.

Nevertheless, Tim Hauraney recalled Max Verstappen’s incredible one-lap pace in Japan and Britain Despite arguably having a slower car, the 27-year-old managed to put up some stellar lap times allowing him to clinch pole position on both occasions. Hauraney labeled this to be his biggest surprise from Verstappen this year.

The biggest surprise is Max Verstappen’s pole lap in Japan and Silverstone. Those were some of the greatest qualifying laps I think I’ve ever gotten to witness firsthand, especially the one at Silverstone.

Tim Hauraney said on Nailing The Apex podcast

The F1 presenter managed to witness Verstappen’s Silverstone brilliance in-person. Hauraney recalled his wonderful experience on-track, seeing the entire Red Bull crew pushing themselves to the limit to get the maximum from the car.

Being there for that and seeing what the team is doing and how much…just seeing the car as trimmed out as it was at the end of the session in person

Tim Hauraney added

Max Verstappen hitting a different ‘level’ in 2025

Max Verstappen is currently at the peak of his performance. In the past few years, the Dutch driver has been performing in a league of his own with four consecutive world titles. He even shattered several records in 2023. While 2025 has been far more difficult for the Dutchman, he is still giving his best on-track.

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

Nelson Valkenburg, another F1 presenter joined in Tim Hauraney’s conversation. Valkenburg asserted that it was simply ‘crazy’ to see Max Verstappen clinch pole position at both the races. He claimed that this was undoubtedly one of the greatest feats in recent memory. It also showed that Verstappen was hitting a completely different level of performance this season.

It’s crazy. And then you think, how you’re going to race with this wing. But for him to hang on to that lap was, one of the greatest feats we’ve maybe ever seen. It just underlines what level is hitting this year.

Nelson Valkenburg said

Max Verstappen is certainly pushing to the limit this season. Despite having a mediocre car, the reigning world champion has managed to stay in third place in the standings, something that no other driver could’ve achieved. There is still half of the season remaining for Verstappen to get back into the mix for the title. As unrealistic as it seems right now, the Dutch driver has a habit of turning things around on-track.

Read More: McLaren Boss Outlines Firm ‘Boundaries’ for Oscar Piastri vs Lando Norris title fight