Verstappen Dominates Austin, Cuts Title Gap to 40

Max Verstappen produced a dominant weekend at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, converting pole and the Sprint win into a wire-to-wire Grand Prix victory to lead every lap and take maximum points. His double success cut Oscar Piastri’s championship lead to 40 points with five races remaining. Lando Norris finished second, holding off Charles Leclerc, and is now 14 points behind Piastri, turning the title fight into a three-way contest between Piastri, Verstappen and Norris. McLaren, already confirmed as 2025 constructors’ champions and reportedly scaling back upgrade development for 2026, suffered setbacks: both cars were forced out of the Sprint on lap one and Piastri struggled for pace, finishing fifth. Verstappen said "the chance is there" for a fifth title but warned Red Bull must be flawless in the remaining rounds. Momentum has shifted toward Red Bull after recent large points hauls, but McLaren’s earlier buffer leaves the championship finely poised heading into the final five meetings.