Verstappen Dominates in Austin to Keep Title Hopes Alive
Max Verstappen delivered a masterclass performance at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on Sunday, leading from start to finish to win the 2025 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing driver’s flawless display not only secured his third victory in the last four races but also dramatically narrowed the Drivers’ Championship gap to leader Oscar Piastri to just 40 points with five rounds remaining.
Verstappen, who also triumphed in Saturday’s sprint race, enjoyed a perfect weekend in Austin — maximizing his points haul while Piastri struggled to a fifth-place finish after a difficult few days for McLaren.
“For sure, the chance is there,” Verstappen said after the race. “We just need to keep delivering weekends like this. We’ll try whatever we can. It’s exciting.”
Verstappen’s Wire-to-Wire Victory
Starting from pole position, Verstappen never relinquished the lead, managing his tyres and pace expertly throughout the 56-lap race. His dominance saw him finish 7.9 seconds ahead of Lando Norris, who fought hard to claim second place for McLaren after overtaking Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the closing stages.
Ferrari’s Leclerc completed the podium in third, while Lewis Hamilton finished fourth for Mercedes, just ahead of Oscar Piastri, who ended a disappointing fifth after losing ground early and failing to recover pace.
It was Verstappen’s 68th career victory, further cementing his status as one of the sport’s greats.
Piastri Struggles, Norris Shines in McLaren Showdown
Championship leader Oscar Piastri endured a challenging weekend in Texas. After crashing out of the Saturday sprint race following contact with his teammate Lando Norris, the Australian could manage only fifth place in the main event.
Despite his struggles, Piastri still holds a 40-point lead (346 to 306) over Verstappen and remains 14 points ahead of Norris in the standings.
“I’d still rather be where I am than the other two,” Piastri said, maintaining confidence that he can become Australia’s first world champion since Alan Jones in 1980.
Tactical Battles and Midfield Drama
The race offered fans plenty of on-track battles behind Verstappen. Norris lost out to Leclerc at the start and spent 21 laps fighting back before finally overtaking the Ferrari, while Hamilton and George Russell battled hard for Mercedes.
Leclerc, who opted for soft tyres early on, showcased defensive brilliance but eventually fell behind on strategy. Norris’s charge back through the field highlighted his growing maturity, finishing comfortably ahead of Leclerc after an intense mid-race duel.
Further down the order, Yuki Tsunoda impressed for Red Bull’s sister team, finishing seventh, while Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber), Oliver Bearman (Haas), and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) rounded out the points-scoring positions.
Early Collision and Safety Car
The race saw early drama when Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli and Williams driver Carlos Sainz collided on lap seven, triggering a Virtual Safety Car (VSC). Sainz, who attempted an overtake on the inside, was handed a five-place grid penalty for the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix and two penalty points on his license.
Teammate Alex Albon was also involved in a separate first-lap collision with Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) but managed to continue.
Verstappen’s Momentum Builds Toward Final Races
The Dutchman’s commanding performance signals a resurgent title charge heading into the final five rounds — Mexico, Brazil, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Abu Dhabi.
Having cut his championship deficit from 104 points at the end of August to just 40, Verstappen remains the biggest threat to Piastri’s historic campaign.
McLaren, however, can take solace in already sealing the Constructors’ Championship, confirming their dominance in the 2025 season.
Race Summary
| Position | Driver | Team | Time / Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 1:35:18.402 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +7.9s |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +15.3s |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +22.4s |
| 5 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +23.5s |
| 6 | George Russell | Mercedes | +29.1s |
| 7 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull RB | +38.6s |
| 8 | Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber | +44.3s |
| 9 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | +49.7s |
| 10 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +55.9s |
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