Former Formula E driver Sam Bird praised Max Verstappen’s F1 season on the Chequered Flag Podcast. Verstappen overcame a 104-point deficit from the Dutch GP to finish two points behind Lando Norris in the World Drivers’ Championship. While ultimately unable to take his fifth championship, the Dutchman showed the world why he’s considered one of the best drivers on the grid.
Bird raced in Formula E for 11 seasons, taking 12 wins and 27 podiums. He departed after the 2025 season, failing to secure a seat once his former team, NEOM McLaren, left the sport. Bird formerly participated in F1 as a test and reserve driver for Mercedes.
The former Formula E driver spoke to BBC Sports about the 2025 F1 season.
Bird on Verstappen’s 2025 F1 season
Bird emphasized Verstappen’s unparalleled talent in F1, highlighting his speed and dominant nature. Since joining the sport, Verstappen has scored 71 wins and four championships.
“I’m, as a driver, genuinely completely in awe of his skill level. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody this fast ever in Formula 1. He’s so relentless. It’s scary. It really is scary. If you give him the car, he’s dominating.
“I think Mekies has done a really good job in galvanising that team. I remember we did a podcast a couple of years ago when news came out about Christian Horner and we were very downcast on the future of the Milton Keynes-based team. But look, I think that when he picked up the reins after Silverstone, the decisions that he’s made have been really strong.”
However, Bird highlighted one-car nature of Red Bull Racing. Since Daniel Ricciardo left the team in 2018, Red Bull have struggled to find a driver to partner Verstappen. Latest teammate Yuki Tsunoda scored 30 points to Verstappen’s 421 during the 2025 F1 season.
“The one thing about Red Bull, though, is they are still a one-car team. And unless Max Verstappen wins every race, I can’t see them challenging for a Constructors’ Championship again. We’ll see what Isack Hadjar can do next year, but it is a one-car team right now.”
Bird on the 2026 F1 season: “I think it could be interesting”
The former Formula E driver praised Verstappen’s ability to maximize his performance in the Red Bull. Bird highlighted the Spanish GP as the only race where Verstappen lost crucial points during the 2025 F1 season, deliberately hitting George Russell.
“I think, besides Barcelona, he’s [Max Verstappen] had pretty much a perfect year and extracted the maximum out of his package. McLaren have done the job and both drivers have delivered comfortably a Constructors’ Championship and Lando [Norris] has won the Drivers’ [Championship].
“But I think that, well, obviously, clearly, McLaren haven’t fully maximised in terms of points they could have done. I think this could have been wrapped up quite a bit earlier for either Oscar [Piastri] or Lando [Norris], had they fully maximised their season. McLaren have done it. They’ve won it. And it’s incredible.
“But when you look at what Max [Verstappen] has been able to do, he hasn’t left really one point on the table. And I think it could be interesting going forward to 2026. It might be one of those years where one of these McLaren drivers has to do the same thing.”
