Max Verstappen Dominates US Grand Prix to Cut Oscar Piastri’s Championship Lead:

Max Verstappen delivered a flawless performance at the US Grand Prix, dominating from pole position to the chequered flag and significantly closing the gap to championship leader Oscar Piastri. The Red Bull driver led every lap around Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, completing a perfect weekend that also included victory in Saturday’s sprint race. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who started strong, eventually finished fifth, just behind Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton. Despite a challenging weekend, the Australian still holds a 14-point lead over his teammate and closest rival Lando Norris. Verstappen, however, has dramatically cut his deficit in the standings from 104 points in August to just 40, with five rounds and two sprints remaining in the 2025 Formula One season. McLaren may have already secured the constructors' championship, but the drivers’ title remains very much alive. “For sure, the chance is there,” Verstappen said post-race. “We just need to try and deliver weekends like this until the end. We will try whatever we can. It’s exciting.” The Dutchman now has three wins from the last four races and 68 career victories under his belt, continuing to assert his dominance in the sport. Piastri, despite losing some ground, remains confident. “I’d still rather be where I am than the other two,” said the 24-year-old, who is chasing history as Australia’s first world champion since Alan Jones in 1980. Sunday’s race saw its share of drama and strategy. Norris lost position to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at the start and was forced to battle hard for several laps to reclaim his spot. Leclerc, on faster but less durable soft tyres, showcased an impressive defensive drive. He later engaged in a fierce duel with Hamilton before pitting and rejoining in ninth. By that time, Verstappen had built a comfortable 10-second lead. Once the pit strategies played out, Leclerc found himself back in second place, but over six seconds adrift of the Red Bull. Norris eventually passed him again, finishing 7.9 seconds behind Verstappen and 7.4 ahead of the Ferrari. “It was tough. We did everything we could,” Norris admitted. “Charles drove a very good race. It was good fun, good battles. So we have to take second. Not a lot more we could’ve done today.” McLaren team principal Andrea Stella believed that Norris had the pace to challenge Verstappen for the win, had he not been held up by Leclerc in the early stages. Hamilton claimed fourth place, with Piastri just 1.1 seconds behind in fifth. George Russell finished sixth for Mercedes, followed by Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber), Oliver Bearman (Haas), and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) completed the top ten. There was early race drama when Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli and Williams’ Carlos Sainz collided on lap seven, bringing out a Virtual Safety Car. Sainz was penalized with a five-place grid drop for the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix. With momentum now swinging back toward Verstappen, the championship battle is heating up as Formula One heads to Mexico.

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