Verstappen wins U.S. Grand Prix and McLaren’s Norris pulls closer to teammate Piastri in F1 title hunt

Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen raced to his third victory in 4 races on the Method 1 United States Grand Prix, whereas McLaren’s Lando Norris took an enormous chunk out of teammate Oscar Piastri’s championship lead by ending second.

Piastri was a distant fifth on Sunday (October 19, 2025), permitting Norris to tug inside 14 factors with 5 grand prix and two dash races to go.

Verstappen is also closing quick together with his late-season cost. Verstappen now trails Piastri by 40 factors, and Norris by 26, in third place, and has put the McClarens on discover he intends to chase all of them the way in which to the tip of the season.

Piastri and Norris are attempting to win their first profession driver’s championship. Verstappen is searching his fifth in a row, and his dominant type of late has given him an actual likelihood to get it. He additionally gained the dash race Saturday (October 19, 2025) after the 2 McLarens bumped into one another on the primary flip and crashed out.

“It was an unbelievable weekend for us,” Verstappen mentioned.

“The possibility is there. We simply have to attempt to ship these sort of weekends till the tip.”

Norris’ late cross of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for second earned the British driver an important place and factors as he chases Piastri and hopes to carry off Verstappen over the ultimate stretch of the season.

Verstappen began on the pole Sunday (October 19, 2025) on the Circuit of the Americas and was by no means challenged for the lead in accumulating his 68th profession victory, and fourth in 5 years in Austin. The Dutch driver constructed a 10-second lead by the midway level as Norris and Leclerc drove a livid battle for second.

“It was a superb battle with Charles. He fought laborious,” Norris mentioned.

“We’ll need to take second. No extra we may have completed at present.”

Piastri in stoop as lead shrinks

Piastri’s day by no means acquired going. The Australian began sixth and shortly made up a spot within the first few corners however was caught there for the remainder of the race.

Piastri’s lead is quickly shrinking underneath stress. He hasn’t gained because the Dutch Grand Prix on Aug. 31 and hasn’t completed on the rostrum the final three races.

“I might nonetheless slightly be the place I’m than the opposite two, however clearly this weekend was not what I needed or anticipated,” Piastri mentioned.

The sequence subsequent heads to Mexico Metropolis, the place Verstappen has 5 profession victories on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

“I feel we should be excellent till the tip to have likelihood,” to win the championship, Verstappen mentioned.

“We have caught up rather a lot. On the similar time, the gaps (between automobiles) are very small.”

Ferrari’s laborious battle to the rostrum

Ferrari remains to be winless on the season, however the group confirmed flashes with its 3-4 end from Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

And it got here a day after Ferrari Chairman John Elkann issued an announcement saying he has “full confidence” in group principal Fred Vasseur amid persistent hypothesis that former Crimson Bull racing boss Christian Horner may take his job.

“I am very comfortable,” Leclerc mentioned.

“It was good day, particularly contemplating the scenario. The second a part of the season hasn’t been simple. There are utterly unfounded noise and rumors across the group. To show we are able to keep centered on the job and be rewarded with a podium is very nice.”