Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen secures pole position during the last qualifying session of 2025. - Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi

  • So, as someone who can't tell the difference between this and a lap driven by someone who is merely competent, is there anything in particular I should notice to be awed by?

    Something to note is that the difference between this lap and last place is like a second

    It's crazy that is how narrow the margins are. The talent behind the wheel, the research and development, for fractions of a second.

    Of course, add those up over the length of a race and you're lapping people.

    It's hard to fathom how impressive their driving is.

    Imagine being on a rollercoaster, but it pulls around 4g every other corner, some up to 6 or 7. Also, you obviously need to steer the car, and hit the braking/steering point at an accuracy of half a metre, every single corner, for up to 60 laps in order to stay within 4 or 5 tenths of a target time. You hit the brakes with a force of around 120kg and you shift gears 100s of times every lap. While you are battling temps of around 50 to 60 deg C, losing up to 4 litres of water per race. And you also battle other cars at an arm's length.

    It's nuts.

    He's maximizing speed at every possible turn, going max speed without losing traction and using up 99% of the available track without touching the grass and spinning out. He's really balancing a needle on a rope at every turn

  • Dude is a robot!

  • This doesn't look that fast, but then I recognize the track from my game and realize I can't drive it this fast.

    you should see another qualifying, it looks more slower than this. until the end season all constructor use this for entertaiment. the slower one for FIA if something accident happen

  • How does he know what turns are coming up without the mini map in the top corner?

    Yeah and he has the driving line turned off? Pretty rookie move imo

  • Spectacular lap, but let’s get more tracks with elevation changes, flat tracks like this aren’t exciting to watch

  • Playing with physics everyday