In a career brimming with jaw-dropping victories, selecting Max Verstappen’s finest moment seems almost impossible. With 63 Grand Prix wins, four world titles, and countless dominant drives, the Dutchman has built a legacy of near-perfection. Yet, for Red Bull’s Chief Engineer Paul Monaghan, one race stands out—and it might not be the one you expect.
Surprisingly, Monaghan didn’t name Verstappen’s first win at Spain 2016 or his jaw-dropping domination at Belgium 2022. Instead, he pointed to the 2023 Miami Grand Prix, a race many overlook but one that Monaghan considers a masterclass in strategy, composure, and execution.
Why Miami 2023 rises above the rest
Speaking on the F1 Beyond the Grid Podcast, Monaghan described why Verstappen’s drive from ninth to victory in Miami deserves the spotlight.
“Checo [Perez] was on pole, and Max was P9,” Monaghan said. “By Lap 15, he was sitting in Checo’s boots… It was a pretty assured drive.”
In Miami, Verstappen was under significant pressure. Teammate Sergio Perez had started the season strong, winning two of the first four races, igniting whispers of a potential title challenge. Starting ninth on the grid, Verstappen needed a flawless performance to quell any doubt about his dominance.
And flawless he was.
“He passed a few people, looked after his tyres, caught his teammate who was driving well—and made it look quite straightforward,” Monaghan explained. “It was incredible.”
A race that defined supremacy
The 2023 Miami GP wasn’t just about winning—it was a psychological hammer blow to Perez’s championship hopes. Verstappen’s clinical overtaking, impeccable tyre management, and sheer race pace made the Mexican’s pole position and early-season momentum irrelevant.
By the time Verstappen crossed the line, he had not only crushed his teammate’s aspirations but also delivered a clear message: the championship was still firmly in his grasp.
Revisiting Spa 2022: The benchmark of dominance
While Monaghan ranked Miami 2023 as Verstappen’s finest performance, he couldn’t ignore another standout: Spa 2022. Starting from 14th, Verstappen delivered a performance so dominant it bordered on surreal.
“He was gone. Absolutely gone,” Monaghan said. “He didn’t put a foot wrong. He doesn’t lose his concentration.”
The ease with which Verstappen carved through the field at Spa remains etched in F1 history as one of the sport’s most lopsided victories.
From rookie phenom to all-time great
Monaghan’s relationship with Verstappen stretches back to the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, where an 18-year-old Verstappen stunned the world by winning on his Red Bull debut. That race marked the beginning of a meteoric rise, one Monaghan has watched firsthand.
“From that first race, you saw a cool customer,” Monaghan recalled. “No pressure fazed him, even with Kimi [Raikkonen] breathing down his neck.”
Over the years, Verstappen’s aggressive style has evolved into calculated brilliance. Monaghan credits this transformation to the Dutchman’s unshakable confidence and relentless drive.
“He’s gone from someone with expectation and belief to someone who has realised that expectation and is now one of the very best.”
The verdict: Miami as a turning point
While Verstappen’s career boasts plenty of iconic moments, Monaghan’s pick of Miami 2023 underscores a different kind of brilliance. It wasn’t just about raw speed but also about tactical intelligence, tyre management, and mental fortitude. It showcased Verstappen at the height of his powers—a driver not just racing to win but racing to dominate.
As the Red Bull ace continues to redefine what it means to be an F1 champion, Miami 2023 may well be remembered as the race that epitomized his transformation from a prodigious talent into an all-time great.
