Max Verstappen’s 360° spin at the start of the Miami Grand Prix divides opinion: genius for some, just luck for Juan Pablo Montoya.
The first lap of the Miami Grand Prix offered a memorable scene with Max Verstappen. Starting from the front row, the Red Bull driver lost control of his car while battling with Charles Leclerc, performing an impressive 360° spin.
Despite this mistake, the Dutchman avoided the worst and managed to continue without major damage, although dropping back into the pack before climbing back up to fifth place at the finish.
A performance that immediately reignited the debate: driving feat… or just luck?
Montoya decides: “It’s not talent”
On the F1TV set, Juan Pablo Montoya did not mince his words in response to Jolyon Palmer’s analysis. While the latter praised Verstappen’s ability to control a car in distress, Montoya dismissed this interpretation with a wave of his hand.
“You think it’s talent? I mostly see pure luck” he said.
This statement immediately sparked controversy. According to the Colombian, the physics of a car spinning out often explains this type of recovery, without it being necessary to see it as an exceptional move.
Palmer defends real skill
In response to these criticisms, Jolyon Palmer wanted to qualify his view. For him, this kind of situation is not improvised and requires very fine control.
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He recalls that Verstappen has already pulled off this type of rescue several times, notably at the British Grand Prix and during his famous winning spin at Hockenheim in 2019.
Palmer emphasizes the complexity of the maneuver: controlling the rotation angle, managing braking, steering, and clutch… all in a fraction of a second. A sequence of technical moves that, according to him, goes far beyond mere luck.
A debate dividing the paddock
Even outside the F1TV set, opinions differ. On Sky Sports, Martin Brundle called the maneuver “brilliant,” praising the responsiveness of the four-time world champion.
For his part, Montoya remains firm in his position, believing that lifting off the throttle is often enough to stop a car’s rotation. This disagreement illustrates a well-known reality in Formula 1: the interpretation of on-track feats often depends on each person’s perspective.
This new episode around Verstappen confirms how much every action of the Dutchman is scrutinized, analyzed… and debated.
Between pure talent and a share of unpredictability, the line remains thin. But one thing is certain: even when he spins out, Verstappen continues to make headlines. And perhaps that is, deep down, his greatest strength.
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