Rosberg praises Verstappen’s masterpiece at Monza: “Simply incredible”
The Italian Grand Prix at Monza offered fans a weekend to remember, largely thanks to Max Verstappen. His performance at the Temple of Speed was described by many as almost “surreal”. While McLaren entered the weekend as the clear favourite, despite knowing the circuit did not perfectly suit the MCL39, it was Verstappen who emerged as the true star. Driving a Red Bull that maximised the benefits of its most recent updates, Verstappen not only secured pole position but also led the race from start to finish, clinching his third victory of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Many in the Formula 1 paddock were left astonished by Verstappen’s performance, and among them was 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg. The German openly praised Verstappen, calling his display a unique and unforgettable moment in F1. Rosberg highlighted how the reigning World Champion had not been seriously mentioned as a favourite for the win before qualifying, yet he delivered when it mattered most.
Nico Rosberg impressed by Verstappen
According to Nico Rosberg, very few people inside the paddock or among the press had expected Verstappen to take pole position. The German noted that everyone’s focus was on McLaren and Ferrari, making the Dutchman’s pole lap all the more remarkable.
“We never talked about Verstappen the whole weekend. We talked about McLaren and Ferrari, and no one mentioned Verstappen. And then suddenly, bam! When it really mattered, it was Verstappen’s magic,” Nico Rosberg commented after the race.
The 40-year-old added that Verstappen went on to produce another surprise in the race itself, which, in his view, even caught McLaren off guard.
“In qualifying, I think it was all down to him. But then in the race, somehow, yes, again, him. I mean, he is simply incredible. But also his car was fast, which really surprised us. It was a surprise for McLaren too. So hats off to Red Bull and, of course, to him for such a special weekend,” Rosberg explained.
A champion who continues to grow
Since making his debut, Max Verstappen has grown into one of the most complete drivers on the grid, collecting four World Championship titles along the way. Even though Red Bull does not currently have the fastest car in 2025, and is unable to regularly challenge McLaren, Verstappen has still managed to secure three victories this year. His relentless competitiveness and ability to capitalise on every opportunity have kept the team in the spotlight, despite their technical limitations.
It raises the question for many fans and analysts alike: is Max Verstappen the only reason Red Bull has continued to win in recent seasons? While updates and strategy have played their part, there is little doubt that the Dutchman’s extraordinary driving talent has been the decisive factor, allowing the Milton Keynes-based team to remain a threat even when not possessing the outright fastest car.
At Monza, Verstappen once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the greatest drivers of his generation. His ability to combine precision, speed and racecraft under immense pressure has set him apart, leaving fans and rivals equally impressed – and leaving Nico Rosberg to call his performance nothing short of “simply incredible”.
Leave a Reply