The Agony of Near Misses: Ranking Verstappen’s 2025 Season Among F1’s Greatest “What Ifs”
the 2025 Formula 1 season delivered a paradox for Max Verstappen: a year of dominant victories overshadowed by a championship ultimately slipping through his grasp. He now joins a select group of drivers – Stirling Moss, Jim Clark, Alain Prost, and Lewis Hamilton – who’ve achieved impressive win tallies without claiming the title. But where does his performance truly rank amongst these agonizingly close seasons?
It’s a question steeped in subjectivity, naturally. Determining the ”best” season without a championship requires weighing car performance, driver brilliance, and sheer bad luck. Several seasons instantly spring to mind when considering drivers arguably robbed of a deserved title.
Consider these examples:
* Stirling Moss (1958): A season of amazing consistency in a less-than-dominant Vanwall.
* Niki Lauda (1976): A remarkable comeback from near-fatal injuries, battling James Hunt to the wire.
* Gilles Villeneuve (1979): A season of raw speed and daring overtakes, ultimately undone by reliability issues.
* Ayrton Senna (1989): A controversial season marked by clashes with Alain Prost and questionable decisions.
* Lewis Hamilton (2007): A rookie sensation pushing Kimi Räikkönen and Fernando alonso to the limit.
However, many motorsport historians point to Fernando Alonso’s 2012 campaign as the gold standard for a season lost despite remarkable driving. He masterfully extracted every ounce of performance from a Ferrari that, on average, was the fourth-fastest car on the grid.
Alonso’s title bid was tragically derailed by circumstances beyond his control. Specifically, collisions in Belgium – caused by Romain Grosjean’s airborne Lotus – and Japan, where Kimi Räikkönen damaged his tire, proved decisive. Had either incident not occurred, he would have almost certainly been crowned champion.
So, how does Verstappen’s 2025 season compare? It’s a valid debate. yet, his Red Bull was demonstrably more competitive than Alonso’s Ferrari. This nuance is crucial when assessing the relative merit of each season.
Verstappen himself acknowledges the rollercoaster of emotions throughout the year. He openly admits to struggling with the car at times, yet consistently pushed its limits. “I’ve hated this car at times,” he stated after the final race, “but I’ve also loved it at times.”
He also highlighted a positive shift in momentum towards the end of the season. “Luckily,the last eight,nine rounds in general have been a lot more enjoyable,” he explained. “And also, in the team, we have a great atmosphere. We’re really on a roll – positive energy, belief, confidence – and that’s exactly what you want heading into next year.”
Despite the disappointment, Verstappen harbors no regrets. He candidly admitted that he didn’t even consider himself a title contender for much of the year. “For a long period of time I was not even thinking about the title,” he confessed. “I never felt like I was in it until a few rounds ago. That’s pretty crazy.”
Ultimately, Verstappen’s outlook is one of self-assurance. He’s confident in his abilities and isn’t dwelling on what might have been. “You take your pride in different ways,” he said. “I’m happy with myself, and going into next year I’m not in a state of having to worry about my skills or whatever.”
this resilience and unwavering belief in his talent are hallmarks of a true champion. While 2025 wasn’t the year for a championship, it was a testament to Verstappen’s skill, determination, and ability to thrive even in adversity. It’s a season that will undoubtedly be remembered as one of F1’s most compelling “what ifs.”