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Max Verstappen Wins Austin Grand Prix Ahead of Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc

Published
Nigora Umarova
Nigora Umarova
International Department Journalist
Formula 1 Sport
The result closes the gap in the title race once more
Photo: F1

Max Verstappen delivered a masterclass at the Circuit of the Americas, taking a lights-to-flag victory at the 2025 United States Grand Prix. The Dutchman, who started from pole, resisted early pressure before storming clear to claim his fourth win at the Texas circuit and his fifth of the season.

Lando Norris finished second after a fierce battle with Charles Leclerc, while Lewis Hamilton brought his Ferrari home in fourth, just ahead of Oscar Piastri’s McLaren.

The result closes the gap in the title race once more, with Verstappen now openly admitting that «the chance is there» for a late-season surge toward the championship.

Blistering Start as Leclerc Charges Forward

As the lights went out under the blazing Austin sun, Verstappen made another clean start, but it was Leclerc who made the headlines into Turn 1. The Ferrari driver launched down the inside and muscled past Norris, taking second in an audacious move that forced the McLaren wide.

Behind them, Piastri leapt off the line, briefly tangling with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton before yielding to the latter. By the end of Lap 1, Verstappen led from Leclerc and Norris, while yellow flags flew after Alexander Albon spun following contact with Lance Stroll.

Further back, Yuki Tsunoda made a superb start, climbing into the top ten from 13th, while Fernando Alonso slipped to 12th.

Early Drama as Sainz Spins Antonelli

On Lap 7, the race saw its first major flashpoint when Carlos Sainz clipped teenage Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli at Turn 15, spinning the Italian and prompting a Virtual Safety Car. Antonelli was able to continue. Sainz retired shortly after, while Albon pitted for new tyres.

Once the race resumed, Verstappen continued to pull clear, stretching his lead to nearly four seconds over Leclerc as the temperature climbed above 45°C. Norris, stuck in the Ferrari’s dirty air, began to struggle with overheating tyres.

Norris Finally Breaks Through

After several laps of frustration, Norris finally found a way past Leclerc on Lap 21. Having received a black-and-white flag for exceeding track limits, the McLaren driver made his move around the outside into Turn 12.

By that point, Verstappen had already built a 10-second advantage. Behind, Hamilton and Piastri engaged in their own battle for fourth, with the Briton eventually emerging ahead before both pitted for soft tyres.

Pit Stops Shake Up the Order

Leclerc was the first of the front-runners to pit, swapping his softs for mediums on Lap 23. The McLarens followed later, both opting for soft tyres in an effort to cover Russell’s undercut. Verstappen’s stop on Lap 34 was faultless, and he rejoined still in the lead.

Further down, Bearman spun while battling Tsunoda, handing the Red Bull driver seventh place. Hulkenberg, impressive in the Kick Sauber, capitalised on the chaos to climb into the points.

Verstappen Controls the Pace

With the pit stops complete, Verstappen led by nearly seven seconds over Leclerc, who was fending off Norris for second. The Briton attacked relentlessly and, after several laps of build-up, finally reclaimed the position on Lap 51 with a brave move into Turn 12.

From there, Norris could do little to close the gap to Verstappen, his worn soft tyres offering no grip in the punishing heat. Leclerc held firm in third, with Hamilton managing a slow puncture in the closing laps to cling on to fourth ahead of Piastri.

Alpine’s Tense Moment and Colapinto’s Defiance

Behind the leading pack, Alpine’s rookie Franco Colapinto ignored team orders to stay behind Pierre Gasly, diving past his team-mate on the penultimate lap. The move summed up the chaotic midfield battles that characterised much of the afternoon.

Tsunoda finished seventh, Hulkenberg eighth, Bearman ninth, and Alonso rounded out the points in tenth after a measured drive.

Verstappen Back in the Hunt

As Verstappen crossed the line, his team erupted in celebration. The reigning champion had been unflappable, managing the tyres perfectly in brutal heat and never putting a foot wrong.

He now has five wins this season — three of them in the last four races — and admitted afterwards that he is beginning to believe in a title comeback.

«For sure the chance is there,» Verstappen said. «We just need to deliver these kind of weekends until the end. It’s exciting.»

With five rounds remaining and Mexico next — a traditional Red Bull stronghold — Verstappen’s late-season surge has turned what once looked like a closed championship into a thrilling two-way fight once more.

Final Classification

  1. Max Verstappen – Red Bull Racing
  2. Lando Norris – McLaren (+7.959s)
  3. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari (+15.373s)
  4. Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari (+28.536s)
  5. Oscar Piastri – McLaren (+29.678s)
  6. George Russell – Mercedes (+33.456s)
  7. Yuki Tsunoda – Red Bull Racing (+52.714s)
  8. Nico Hulkenberg – Kick Sauber (+57.249s)
  9. Oliver Bearman – Haas (+64.722s)
  10. Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin (+70.001s)

Daniel’s Comments

On the sidelines of the race, Daniel Ricciardo, former teammate of Verstappen has been sharing his thoughts on the race on WhatsApp. He commented on «Plan B» of McLaren, saying that it stands for «Plan BBQ».

Ricciardo also said that Verstappen is «keeping this championship even more exciting than it already was with Oscar and Lando».

Kursiv also reports that yesterday Max Verstappen secured his third consecutive Sprint victory at the Circuit of the Americas after a 19-lap race that saw chaos on the opening lap and both McLarens eliminated within moments of the start.

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