Was the 2023 Miami GP Max Verstappen’s Best-Ever Race for Red Bull?

Red Bull’s Chief Engineer, Paul Monaghan, has labeled Max Verstappen’s dominant performance at the 2023 Miami Grand Prix as possibly the Dutch driver’s best-ever race. With his extraordinary pace, strategic brilliance, and flawless execution, Verstappen’s Miami victory stands as a testament to his phenomenal talent and growth as a driver.

Four-Time World Champion’s Brilliance

Having secured four consecutive F1 World Championships, Max Verstappen has firmly established himself as one of Formula 1’s most successful drivers. Over the years, Verstappen has delivered countless standout performances for Red Bull, a team he joined in 2016. However, Monaghan—who has been with Red Bull since 2005—singled out the 2023 Miami GP as a particularly “assured drive.”

Appearing on the Beyond the Grid podcast, Monaghan confidently stated, “I will take you back to Miami in 2023. There are races where he has passed people to win, and there are races he’s defended. Miami was a blend of both and showcased his extraordinary skill set.”

The Story of the 2023 Miami GP

Starting from ninth on the grid while teammate Sergio Perez secured pole position, Verstappen’s Miami GP performance was a perfect showcase of calculated aggression, tire management, and strategic mastery. Despite starting from the midfield and even losing a position at the race start, Verstappen quickly began slicing through the field with clinical precision.

By the time Perez pitted from the lead, Verstappen had already worked his way to the front. On aging hard tires, Verstappen not only maintained his position but built a buffer over Perez, who was unable to close the gap despite being on fresher rubber.

After Verstappen’s own pit stop, he rejoined just seconds behind Perez. With fresher tires and unwavering confidence, Verstappen closed in and overtook his teammate with apparent ease, pulling away to win by a comfortable five-second margin.

“Checo [Perez] was on pole, and Max was P9,” Monaghan said. “By Lap 15, he was sitting in Checo’s boots… I thought that was a pretty assured drive.”

Monaghan commended Verstappen’s ability to combine overtaking skill, tire conservation, and racecraft into a seamless performance. “He passed a few people, looked after his tires, caught his teammate who was driving well – he’d stuck it on pole – and made it look quite straightforward.”

Comparisons to Spa 2022

While Monaghan picked Miami 2023 as Verstappen’s best race, he also acknowledged the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix as another masterclass performance. Starting 14th on the grid due to engine and gearbox penalties, Verstappen stormed through the pack and claimed victory by a staggering 18 seconds over Perez, who had started on the front row.

“If you look at Spa 2022, he was gone. Absolutely gone. He didn’t put a foot wrong,” Monaghan explained. “He could have just lost his concentration, but no. He doesn’t lose his concentration.”

Mental Clarity and Growth

Beyond his physical skill, Monaghan highlighted Verstappen’s mental clarity as a key factor in his success. He recalled moments like the 2022 Spanish GP, where the driver’s radio communication underlined his ability to maintain control and awareness even during challenging situations, such as issues with his DRS system.

Monaghan reflected on Verstappen’s evolution, comparing his earlier years to his current dominance. “He’s gone from someone with belief and confidence to someone who has realized that expectation and is now one of the very best.”

Referencing his early battles with Lewis Hamilton, Monaghan noted that Verstappen has learned from those intense moments, channeling his competitive fire into composure and consistency. “Now, nothing much fazes him, does it?”

A Talent Among Legends

With nearly two decades at Red Bull, Monaghan has worked with some of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history, including Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Mika Hakkinen, and Ayrton Senna. Yet, Verstappen’s talent stood out from the moment he joined the team.

Monaghan recalled Verstappen’s debut win at Spain in 2016, where he triumphed under pressure: “No pressure fazed him. He had Kimi [Raikkonen] breathing down his neck and stayed cool under pressure.”

From his first race with Red Bull to his dominant 2023 Miami performance, Verstappen has shown an unmatched ability to adapt, improve, and excel. “Underneath that quite relaxed exterior is a phenomenal inner strength, a sort of mythical armor… not much is going to derail him,” Monaghan said.

Max Verstappen’s Legacy in Formula 1

Verstappen’s rise to prominence has been marked by a combination of raw talent, strategic brilliance, and mental fortitude. The 2023 Miami GP not only solidified his reputation as one of the best in the sport but also highlighted his unique ability to make difficult races look effortless.

“Miami was a perfect race,” Monaghan concluded. “It showed his ability to balance aggression and composure, his understanding of tire management, and his dominance over the field.”

As Verstappen continues to add to his already impressive list of achievements, it’s clear that he is carving out a legacy as one of Formula 1’s all-time greats.