F1 2025: Max Verstappen’s dominant win – United States Grand Prix recap
The 22nd round of the 2025 Formula 1 Championship, held in Austin, offered one of the standout performances of the season. Verstappen controlled the race from start to finish, re-igniting his title hopes.
1. Race highlights
Verstappen started from pole, maintained the lead on every lap, and crossed the line about 7.9 seconds ahead of Lando Norris, who overtook Charles Leclerc for second place. Leclerc finished third.
2. Title fight heats up
With five races remaining, the championship battle is wide open. Current leader Oscar Piastri (McLaren) finished fifth and saw his lead cut to 40 points by Verstappen. Norris is now only 14 points behind Piastri.
3. Key incidents & storylines
- Almost all drivers opted for a one-stop strategy, with Verstappen managing tyre wear impressively.
- Carlos Sainz Jr.’s race ended early after a collision, marking a disappointing weekend.
- A controversial moment: a staff member from Red Bull Racing entered a restricted area on the grid and was fined by the FIA.
4. What’s next?
The next stop is the Mexico City Grand Prix on October 24–26. Verstappen believes the “chance is there” for a title surge, while Piastri insists on focusing on performance rather than points arithmetic.
5. Why this matters
This win from Verstappen brings real drama back into the title fight. While McLaren looked in control with Piastri, the Texas weekend proved nothing is settled. With performance, strategy and incidents all in play, the season’s finale promises to be thrilling.