Niki Lauda once pinpointed the moment he knew Max Verstappen was going to be a top F1 driver

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Max Verstappen is one of the most exciting and breathtaking drivers to have ever graced Formula 1.

Relentless in pursuit and cutthroat in battle, there’s a reason why he’s already in the conversation for the greatest of all time.

For all Red Bull have made some questionable personnel decisions in the past, they do deserve credit for nailing the Dutchman’s promotion in 2016.

Verstappen was very young at the age of 18, for a young driver to be in a top car, but he absorbed the pressure well and has been excellent ever since.

Verstappen may ‘want to’ leave Red Bull if their new engine fails to deliver the performance he needs to compete for titles.

After leaving the team, Helmut Marko was annoyed by Verstappen’s last chat after it left them having to say goodbye to each other over the phone. He has been a pivotal figure in his career.

READ MORE: Max Verstappen’s rivals will be worried after revealing the skill he keeps improving behind the scenes

Niki Lauda knew Max Verstappen was ‘incredible’ after watching him at the 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix

The 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix is remembered for being one of the races where Verstappen announced himself on the world stage clearly.

It was at that time that three-time champion and Mercedes advisor Niki Lauda already knew that he would go on to be something special.

“Incredible to watch,” he told Sky Sports F1. “Lewis and Nico did the perfect job they could do. Verstappen was outstanding, the way he passed everybody. It was an interesting race.

“Nevertheless, [with fresh tyres] he did a job. Unbelievable. The way he passed, impressive. I knew the guy is good, but he has proved it again to everybody what he can do.”

2025 was Verstappen’s ‘best’ season, despite missing out on the drivers’ championship by just two points. It was a culmination of all his talents, leading him to nearly claim a crown he had no right to win.

But with the running order jumbled up heading into the 2026 F1 regulations, no one even knows if he’ll be a contender. Uncertain times lie ahead.

READ MORE: Damon Hill says Max Verstappen has ‘more respect’ for Oscar Piastri than Lando Norris

Why didn’t Max Verstappen join Niki Lauda at Mercedes?

Back when Verstappen was negotiating with teams for a junior gig, he had a few offers on the table. He took his time to mull over things.

Red Bull offered him the immediate jump to Formula 1, while Mercedes also offered him a deal, albeit slightly different from their competitors’.

They proposed that Verstappen spent one year in Formula 2 (GP2 at the time), which was less appealing than the potential of a Toro Rosso drive.

At the time, Mercedes were dominating the championship, and no one knew Nico Rosberg would go on to retire, otherwise, there might have been a different offer on the table. He might have joined Lauda.