Max Verstappen's 'genius' recovery from Miami spin earns praise from Martin Brundle

Max Verstappen's opening-lap spin at the Miami Grand Prix turned a potential disaster into a showcase of his extraordinary car control, earning high praise from former F1 driver Martin Brundle. The Red Bull driver lost the rear at Turn 2 while battling Charles Leclerc, executing a full 360-degree spin that Brundle described as 'genius' level skill.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's rare mistake could have ended his race early, but his quick thinking and precise throttle, brake, and steering inputs kept him in ninth place at the end of the lap. This recovery not only salvaged points but also highlighted why he remains a three-time world champion – even under pressure, his instinctive car control sets him apart from the field.

The details:

• The incident: On a dry track, pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli (reported as Antonelli in original text) had a reasonable start, but Leclerc's fast Ferrari drew alongside Verstappen exiting Turn 1. Pinched to the Turn 2 apex, Verstappen was too eager on the throttle and looped the car – an unusual error he quickly apologized for over the radio.
• The recovery: Brundle emphasized the difficulty of spinning a modern, fuel-heavy F1 car 360 degrees while maintaining forward speed and avoiding opponents. "I can't tell you how hard that is," he wrote in his Sky F1 column. Verstappen deftly used throttle, brakes, and steering to point the car down the track, dramatically minimizing the chance of being hit by the pack.
• Race aftermath: Despite dropping to the midfield, Verstappen engaged in several wheel-rubbing battles to recover. Red Bull pitted him on lap 7 for hard compound tires under a Safety Car deployed for two separate incidents, allowing him to run to the end.

What's next:

Verstappen's ability to salvage points from a self-inflicted error underscores Red Bull's resilience. While the spin was a rare lapse, the recovery reaffirms his status as one of the most naturally gifted drivers on the grid. With the championship battle tightening, such moments could prove decisive in the title fight.

Brundle's analysis also serves as a reminder of the razor-thin margins in F1: one mistake can cost everything, but elite drivers like Verstappen turn potential disasters into memorable showcases of skill.