Martin Brundle hails Max Verstappen's "genius" Miami GP save after rare spin

Max Verstappen's spin at the start of the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix has been applauded by former driver and Sky Sports analyst Martin Brundle, who claimed it showed off the four-time champion's "genius" as he recovered from the moment. 

The chaotic start of the race at the Hard Rock Stadium saw Verstappen, who started from P2 alongside polesitter Kimi Antonelli, run side-by-side with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc out of Turn 1. Making a rarely seen mistake at Turn 2, Verstappen spun out but managed to avoid a crash and continued with the race.

"Pinched to the Turn 2 apex by Leclerc, Verstappen was too eager on the throttle and looped around, an unusual mistake for him for which he would hurriedly apologise to the team on the radio. Before that we saw some of his genius in the recovery," Brundle wrote in his post-race Sky Sports F1 column.

The Dutchman went on to finish fifth in the Miami Grand Prix, collecting ten points for Red Bull. 

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

While speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the race, Verstappen explained how he tried to minimise the time lost with the spin.

"I lost the rear into Turn 2 and then tried to minimise the time loss with the 360," he said. "And then we opted to go early onto the hard tyre, but that hard tyre didn't work for us. So I had no real pace and grip on that compound for whatever reason.
 
"It was tough. I don't think we would have fought for the win at all. I mean, we dropped quite heavily.

"Maybe I could have been in that place where I think Oscar was maybe, if he would have done a bit more of a normal race. But it's always easy to say that afterwards. I think we have improved a lot this weekend. Unfortunately, in the race, we are still lacking a bit."