F1 Driver of the Day: Verstappen Clinches Final Award of 2025 Season at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

What is F1 Driver of the Day?

Introduced in 2016, the Driver of the Day award is voted for by fans during each Grand Prix and announced at the end of the race. This prestigious recognition celebrates outstanding performances on track, rewarding drivers who demonstrate exceptional skill, strategy, and racecraft. The award goes not to who has won the race or has the fastest car, but to who fans believe performed best given the challenges they had to overcome.

Verstappen’s Commanding Performance at Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw Lando Norris secure the championship, yet fans voted Max Verstappen as the most impressive driver of the day. The Dutchman delivered another brilliant and faultless race at Yas Marina Circuit. Max Verstappen dominated the Abu Dhabi GP to win Driver of the Day, yet Lando Norris clinched the 2025 F1 world championship with a composed P3 finish in a dramatic finale.

Verstappen remained untouchable at the front, and ultimately Norris crossed the line to become F1’s 35th World Champion. Verstappen may have owned the night with victory and Driver of the Day honours, but Norris claimed the year’s ultimate reward.

A Season of Remarkable Performances

The 2025 season witnessed numerous memorable Driver of the Day awards. Max Verstappen claimed Driver of the Day as well as the victory at the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix, and claimed Driver of the Day at the 2025 Las Vegas GP with an impressive display as he controlled every major phase of the race.

Other standout performances included Nico Hulkenberg using his immense Formula 1 experience to score his maiden F1 podium at Silverstone, despite starting just 19th on the grid, and Isack Hadjar clinching his maiden F1 podium at Zandvoort, taking a superb third place.

Significance for Fans and Drivers

Drivers receive no prize or financial bonus for becoming Driver of the Day. It is simply a mark of recognition for a driver’s performance by the public. However, this fan-voted honour holds tremendous emotional value, acknowledging moments of brilliance that might otherwise be overshadowed by race winners or championship battles. As the 2025 season concluded, the Driver of the Day award continued to highlight F1’s depth of talent and the unpredictable drama that makes Formula 1 the pinnacle of motorsport.