The top three overtakes on Max Verstappen including ‘brilliant’ Charles Leclerc move that caught him ‘napping’

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Max Verstappen is hardly ever overtaken. That’s partly because his Red Bull is usually very fast, but it also reflects his uncompromising defensive driving.

Verstappen has drawn comparisons to Michael Schumacher for his controversial tactics. At times, he has strayed too far, including last year’s Mexico City Grand Prix, when he picked up a 10-second penalty (his second of the race) for a lunge on Lando Norris at turn seven.

But the Red Bull superstar has generated a fear factor that serves him well in Formula 1 title fights. There’s arguably no driver more difficult to pass.

There have been moments, even in his title-winning seasons, where he’s been powerless to resist DRS-assisted moves. Here, though, F1Oversteer ranks the best and bravest moves on the sport’s toughest racer.

Carlos Sainz surprised Max Verstappen at 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix (3rd)

Carlos Sainz started on pole for the Mexico City Grand Prix but lost the lead on the first lap. Verstappen made a better start and eased the Ferrari driver off the track at turn one.

However, on lap nine, the Spaniard stormed back through. After closing in down the long pit straight, he dived out from behind the Red Bull, just about making the first corner.

Sainz clouted the turn two kerb as he tried to defend from Verstappen, who tried to perform a switch-back manoeuvre. Fortunately, he had another helping of DRS, which allowed him to preserve the lead.

“With Max, you need to be determined, you need to be decisive,” Sainz said, via AutoRacer. “If you’re not, you’re never going to pass him and in that case, I think I caught him a bit by surprise.”

Nico Rosberg sealed title with Max Verstappen move at 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (2nd)

Nico Rosberg edges Sainz because he executed his move under the ultimate pressure. Rosberg was battling Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton for the title at the season finale.

This was Verstappen’s first year at Red Bull, and the Silver Arrows were largely untouchable. But the Dutchman had already built a reputation as a ruthless wheel-to-wheel opponent.

• READ MORE: The five worst moments of Max Verstappen’s career in Formula 1

Rosberg only needed second place but the teenager was a threat due to his alternate strategy. In what his engineer called a ‘critical’ overtake, he forced his way down the inside at the end of the circuit’s longest straight, undeterred by Verstappen’s attempt to shut the door.

“The feelings that I had in the battle and right after when I realised that I passed him, I’ve never had that in a race car before ever in my life,” Rosberg, who eventually won the championship, told Sky Sports F1 afterwards.

Max Verstappen didn’t expect Charles Leclerc lunge at 2022 Austrian Grand Prix (1st)

Charles Leclerc passed Verstappen not once, not twice, but three times en route to victory at the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix. While their early championship fight fizzled out as Ferrari fell away, this remains one of the Monegasque’s finest victories.

The highlight of the hat-trick came at turn four on lap 11. Verstappen thought he had Leclerc covered, but the Ferrari star squeezed down the inside on the brakes.

Crucially, he claimed the corner for himself, precluding any attempt at a switch-back. Speaking in commentary, David Croft suggested that Verstappen hadn’t seen it coming.

“Did that catch Max Verstappen napping a little bit?” he asked. “He certainly wasn’t expecting Charles Leclerc to come down the inside. That was a brilliant move!”