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Flawless Verstappen wins US GP; Piastri stays optimistic while his lead narrows

Hannah Kennelly
Updated ,first published

Key Posts

Let’s take a look at the drivers’ standings
Russell laments ‘processional’ nature of F1 races
Piastri keeps positive outlook
Final standings
‘We did everything we could’: Norris
The five races that lie ahead
Is Max Verstappen back in the championship race? Oh yes
Flawless Verstappen wins US GP; Gap between McLaren rivals narrows
Pinned post from 7.40am on Oct 20, 2025
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Flawless Verstappen wins US GP; Gap between McLaren rivals narrows

By Hannah Kennelly

An undeniable Max Verstappen has won the United States Grand Prix by more than six seconds.

The Dutchman expertly converted pole position to claim his 68th career grand prix in front of a roaring Texan crowd.

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“Another impressive weekend, extremely well done,” Verstappen’s engineer said over the radio.

“Let’s keep the momentum up,” Verstappen replied.

McLaren title rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished second and fifth respectively. The gap between the two teammates has narrowed to 14 points, with only five races left of the season.

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Let’s take a look at the drivers’ standings

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So before we sign off today’s blog of the US Grand Prix, let’s take a look at the drivers’ standings because that’s where all the interest will lie in the final five races.

Lando Norris gained eight points on his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in Austin this morning (AEST), whittling the margin down to a slender 14 points.

Of course, the driver who cannot be discounted is Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen, who has won the drivers’ title for the past four seasons.

It might be a long shot, but the Dutchman’s win today added 25 points to his tally, and his shadow looms large over the final five races of the season.

Russell laments ‘processional’ nature of F1 races

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Mercedes driver George Russell shared the lament of many F1 fans when he spoke after the US Grand Prix.

While the contest for this year’s drivers’ championship is set to be a white-knuckle affair, there is a school of thought from some critics that the races themselves have become a tad predictable.

Russell admitted he was “frustrated” after starting the race sixth on the grid and failing to advance that position.

“Right now, in F1 it’s a race to turn one,” the Brit told the race broadcaster.

“There’s no tyre degradation. There’s only … three temps between the quickest car and the slowest car in the top six. And normally you need at least half a second to overtake, so if I came out of turn one in P3 (third position) I’d have been on the podium today. But instead, I came out in P6 and finished P6.”

Piastri keeps positive outlook

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Australian driver Oscar Piastri remains optimistic about his chances of winning this year’s drivers’ championship.

Piastri’s lead shrank at the US Grand Prix after he finished fifth, netting 10 points, while his teammate/rival Lando Norris finished second and picked up 18 points.

Race winner Max Verstappen’s hopes of a fifth straight win in the drivers’ championship remain alive after he netted 25 points for his win in Austin.

Piastri’s day never got going. The Australian started sixth and quickly made up a spot in the first few corners but was stuck there for the rest of the race.

Oscar Piastri is remaining optimistic.Getty Images
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Final standings

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‘We did everything we could’: Norris

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Despite Max Verstappen’s win, the main rival to Australia’s Oscar Piastri for the drivers’ championship remains his McLaren teammate Lando Norris.

Norris finished second to Verstappen in Austin this morning (AEST), after passing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (third) on lap 51.

Lando Norris narrowed the gap on his teammate Oscar Piastri.Getty Images

“It was a good battle with Charles,” Norris said after the race. “He fought hard, and it was tough. We did everything we could. I thought we kind of had it in an easier way after we got ahead and then we did the overcut, or we went much longer.

“I expected a slightly easier second attempt to get through, but it wasn’t the case. Charles drove a very good race. It was good fun. Good battles. I had to take second. Not a lot more we could have done today.”

The five races that lie ahead

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So, there’s five races to come in the grand prix calendar, and the driver’s championship is going down to the wire.

The circus moves to South America for the next two races, the first of them this weekend in Mexico.

Let’s take a look at the remaining races.

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Is Max Verstappen back in the championship race? Oh yes

By Hannah Kennelly

There are only 26 points between Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. The Dutchman is well aware he’s back in the race for the championship.

Max Verstappen wins the US Grand Prix.Getty Images

“You must be thinking, I can do this, there’s a chance,” Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle tells the smiling Dutchman.

“Yes for sure there’s a chance there,” Verstappen replied. “We just need to deliver these kinds of weekends until the end.”

Verstappen heralds ‘unbelievable weekend’: Norris reflects on Leclerc battle

By Hannah Kennelly

Max Verstappen smiled when Sky Sports’ commentator Martin Brundle describes his race as a “champion’s drive”.

“It was an unbelievable weekend for us, I knew the race was not going to be super straightforward,” he said.

Max Verstappen wins US GP Getty Images

“It wasn’t easy to manage the tyres… I’m incredibly proud of everyone to deliver a weekend like this.”

Lando Norris laughed when asked about his incredible battle with Charles Leclerc, admitting he didn’t realise it would be so difficult.

“I expected a slightly easier second attempt to get through, but that wasn’t the case,” he said.

Pinned post from 7.40am on Oct 20, 2025

Flawless Verstappen wins US GP; Gap between McLaren rivals narrows

By Hannah Kennelly

An undeniable Max Verstappen has won the United States Grand Prix by more than six seconds.

The Dutchman expertly converted pole position to claim his 68th career grand prix in front of a roaring Texan crowd.

View post on X

“Another impressive weekend, extremely well done,” Verstappen’s engineer said over the radio.

“Let’s keep the momentum up,” Verstappen replied.

McLaren title rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished second and fifth respectively. The gap between the two teammates has narrowed to 14 points, with only five races left of the season.

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Nightmare weekend for Piastri

By Hannah Kennelly

A DNF in the sprint race, a tricky qualifying and now a podium-less finish in Austin.

It’s been a nightmare weekend for Oscar Piastri who looks set to settle for fifth place here in Texas. The Australian has driven a lonely race and seemed to struggle with his pace and tyres.

In contrast, it’s been an impressive drive for his teammate and championship rival Lando Norris, who fiercely pursued Charles Leclerc to snatch second place.

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