Red Bull ace Max Verstappen claimed his fourth Formula 1 United States Grand Prix victory in five years on Sunday, October 19, at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
Starting from pole position, Verstappen dominated the race from start to finish, crossing the line with a commanding nine-second lead to secure his fifth win of the 2025 season.
Despite still sitting third in the F1 Drivers’ Championship standings—behind McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris—the four-time world champion remains well within reach of a fifth consecutive title.
“It was an unbelievable weekend for us,” Verstappen said after the race. “The opportunity is there; we just have to keep delivering performances like this until the end.”
Norris overtook Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the 51st of 56 laps to round out the podium, bringing some late intrigue in the final stages of the Austin race.
“It was a good battle with Charles. He fought hard and it was tough. We did everything we could,” Norris said. “It was good fun, good battles. I have to take second. Not a lot more we could have done today.”
Added Leclerc: “I’m very happy overall because it’s been a tough second part of the year. And to be back on the podium here … we recovered well. So, I’m happy.”
Lewis Hamilton finished in fourth, one position shy of his first Ferrari podium of the season.
Piastri finished in fifth ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, who finished with a 20-second gap before the rest of the field.
The Austin race was the second of three American F1 races this season. Piastri won in Miami in May, while the Las Vegas Grand Prix will be raced on Nov. 22.
It was Verstappen’s seventh win in the U.S. He won the first two Miami races in 2022 and 2023 and the first Vegas race in 2023.
“He’s been serene all afternoon,” F1 analyst Martin Brundle said of Verstappen before the checkered flag.
“Let’s try to keep that momentum up,” Verstappen said from his car after the race.
Here’s the Top 6 in the Drivers’ standings after the Austin race: Oscar Piastri (346); Lando Norris (332); Max Verstappen (306); George Russell (252); Charles Leclerc (192); Lewis Hamilton (142).
McLaren is the run-away favorite to win the Constructors with 678 points after the Austin race, followed by Mercedes (341), Ferrari (334), Red Bull (331), Williams (111), Racing Bulls (72), Aston Martin (69), Sauber (59), Haas (48) and Alpine (20).
