The Red Bull champion overcame critical mistakes to capture his second fan-voted honor of 2026, outshining Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc in a high-stakes Miami showdown.
Despite making a number of mistakes during the race, Max Verstappen was voted Driver of the Day at the 2026 Miami Grand Prix of the Formula 1 World Championship. The Red Bull driver claimed the fan-voted honor with 26.3 percent of the total vote, finishing ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc in the standings.
Through four rounds of the 2026 season, Verstappen is the award's standout recipient, having now claimed it on two occasions. The other recipients so far in 2026 have been Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli, each with one recognition to their name.
At the Japanese Grand Prix, Piastri delivered one of the most spectacular opening laps of the season — charging from third position all the way to the lead — and his performance earned him the Driver of the Day distinction ahead of Antonelli and Leclerc.
When Antonelli claimed his maiden Formula 1 victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, the fans responded by giving him the honor with 23.4 percent of the vote. And in Australia, at the very first race of the season, Verstappen claimed the inaugural Driver of the Day award of 2026 after a combative performance that saw him finish sixth from the back of the field.
2026 F1 Driver of the Day — Full List:
- Miami GP: Max Verstappen
- Japanese GP: Oscar Piastri
- Chinese GP: Kimi Antonelli
- Australian GP: Max Verstappen
What is the Driver of the Day award in Formula 1?
The Driver of the Day award is an official Formula 1 accolade that was introduced in 2016, and it has since become one of the most popular interactive features in the sport's calendar. It's purpose is straightforward but meaningful: rather than rewarding the race winner or the driver in the fastest car, it exists to honor the competitor who, in the collective judgment of the global fan base, delivered the most impressive performance.
At the end of each Grand Prix, the title is awarded to the driver who accumulated the most fan votes during the event. The voting window opens at the start of the race and closes in the final moments before the chequered flag, giving spectators around the world the chance to register their appreciation in real time.
Participating is simple. Fans head to Formula 1's official voting platform and cast their selection for whichever driver they believe deserves the recognition. While the award carries no monetary prize, no championship points, and no formal bonus of any kind, it carries something that some drivers value just as highly: the direct, unfiltered endorsement of the millions of people who follow the sport with passion.