2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button has praised Max Verstappen for his performances this season, stating that he’s “stepped it up” amid McLaren’s risk within the title race.
Verstappen sits third within the F1 drivers’ championship after 5 rounds in 2025, 12 factors behind Oscar Piastri.
Whereas McLaren have comfortably had the quickest automotive this yr, Verstappen has continued to carry out at his greatest.
This was most notable on the Japanese Grand Prix, the place Verstappen snatched pole place off the McLarens earlier than successful the race.
Verstappen was additionally in competition for the race victory at Saudi Arabia, however a five-second time penalty from an incident on the opening lap price him in opposition to Piastri.
Reflecting on the season to this point, Button identified Verstappen’s efficiency at Suzuka because the standout second of 2025 to this point.
“For me, the second that stands out is Max Verstappen’s qualifying lap at Suzuka,” Button stated on Sky’s F1 protection forward of FP1 in Miami. “I do know, oh it’s Max Verstappen. He’s been successful world championships for years.
“For me, this yr, he’s stepped it up. He doesn’t have the most effective automotive, removed from it, however he’s in a position to nonetheless drag one thing out of it.
“To get that pole place round a observe like Suzuka the place it’s essential to be courageous was very, very spectacular.”
‘One other stage’ for Verstappen in 2025
In Verstappen’s 2024 title-winning marketing campaign, he gained seven of the opening 10 races.
On account of Purple Bull’s decline in kind mid-season, he might solely win two extra races within the remaining a part of the yr.
Regardless of Purple Bull’s lack of efficiency relative to McLaren and Ferrari, Verstappen held on to the championship lead.
Button believes Verstappen’s “sport has risen” once more in 2025 resulting from McLaren’s robust begin to the yr.
“I believe he’s needed to. Abruptly, he’s acquired some correct competitors in McLaren – Oscar and Lando,” Button defined.
“So, yeah. He’s needed to. His sport has risen and it’s spectacular to see.
“For me, watching it from a driver’s standpoint, seeing him manhandle the Purple Bull round Suzuka was very spectacular.”
