F1 | Max Verstappen’s surprising reaction after Virtual Safety Car ruins Mexico GP finish. Max Verstappen showed a surprisingly calm reaction after a late Virtual Safety Car.

A reaction that few would expect from Max Verstappen came at the end of the Mexico City Grand Prix, despite the misfortune on the final lap. The race in Mexico provided plenty of action, from the battle between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton to, in the latter stages, the duel between the Dutchman and Charles Leclerc. For the Red Bull driver, it was an up-and-down race, but after slipping back to the middle of the pack, Max climbed back up to third position. An unexpected incident at the end prevented him from claiming the second step of the podium, creating an obstacle between Verstappen and the 2025 title.

An incredible stint on Soft tires

Max Verstappen’s remarkable stint on the Soft tires allowed the Dutchman, just a few laps from the end, to close in on Charles Leclerc, who was running on Yellow tires. By lap 71, Max Verstappen had one last chance to attempt an overtake, but a Virtual Safety Car froze the positions, ending his opportunity to challenge for second place.

This weekend, Max Verstappen lost ten points to the new Championship leader, Lando Norris. Had he finished the race in second, he would have lost only seven points—a three-point difference that could prove crucial in the championship count at the end of the season.

Verstappen’s unusual reaction

The Dutch driver was not known for being calm and collected in his early years in Formula 1. However, today’s episode is a strong sign of his growing maturity, as Max did not let frustration show over the radio, nor during post-race interviews. After crossing the finish line, the Red Bull driver discussed the race with his pit wall, describing himself as overall satisfied despite some misfortune with the Safety Car.

During the post-race press conference, Max Verstappen explained the composure he showed on the cool-down lap. He acknowledged that luck does not always go your way in racing. “Was it frustrating? Not really. I mean, sometimes the Safety Car has been very kind to me in my career. So sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. That’s how racing works.”

The Red Bull driver also emphasized that he would have preferred to have a chance to fight until the end. “It would have been fun, I think, to race to the finish. Well, maybe a bit more fun for me than for Charles defending, but it would have been an exciting finish for everyone to watch.”