Max Verstappen turned 28 earlier this week, and in the last decade he has treated Formula 1 fans to a whirlwind of precision, execution and relentless hunger.
His record-breaking drives, campaigns and already-legendary status have elevated him to an instant great, and these three drives demonstrate that to a significant extent.
All three of these races are available to watch on F1TV.
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2016 Brazilian Grand Prix
Earlier that campaign, Verstappen underlined his wet-weather credentials with a sublime overtake on Nico Rosberg, around the outside of the quick Chapel turn, at the British Grand Prix.
But his drive in Brazil was even greater. A pair of early moves on two front-running cars, including on Rosberg again, a miraculous save from a near-race-ending spin, a comeback drive after an unsuccessful strategy. The skill on display was remarkable and was a simultaneous symbol of his greatness.
It is worth reminding ourselves also that the Dutchman was still a teenager at this point!
Wow, wow & wow!!! 🤯
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 1, 2023
If you needed any proof of Max Verstappen's immaculate car control, check out this amazing save in a very wet Brazil in 2016! 😳#BrazilGP #F1 @redbullracing @Max33Verstappen pic.twitter.com/ajp6OGZ5aH
2020 70th Anniversary Grand Prix
After qualifying over a second behind the two dominant Mercedes cars, of Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen matched the inspired strategy of the Red Bull pit wall and handed the W11 its first race defeat.
On a boiling Silverstone day, where blistering was the main concern on the Pirelli rubber, Verstappen started on the hard compound and instantly pressurised the medium-starting-Mercedes.
His then-refusal of Red Bull’s conservative request to give his tyres breathing time pushed the Silver Arrows into uncomfortable territory. After passing Bottas for the lead, he went on to win and comfortably so.
It was a day where peak pace was not an asset, but it is not a co-incidence that Verstappen always seems to rise in those scenarios.
2022 Japanese Grand Prix
There is already a thick album of vintage Verstappen drives in the rain, but this one goes rather unnoticed, because of the nature of the race length.
Because of a massive delay, due to Carlos Sainz’s first-lap crash in sodden conditions, the race was restricted to just 28 laps. Yet, before that, the world champion miraculously held onto his lead, dazzling around the outside of the first corners of Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari.
It was a mixture of bravery and style that would pervade the race’s length, as he won it by 27 seconds, averaging almost a second per lap advantage over the field.
And despite much post-race confusion about the rules, it was the race that secured his second drivers’ championship crown.