“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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11.17am on Oct 20, 2025
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.
Verstappen is stalking the McLaren drivers.Getty Images
It will make for a fascinating end to the season, and we’re looking forward to bringing all of that action to you.
First off, Hannah Kennelly has an analysis piece coming shortly to this website on today’s race and what it means for Piastri’s title hopes.
But there won’t be long to draw breath because the next race is now less than a week away; next Monday morning in Mexico City.
We’ll be back to blog that one, so we hope to see you then.
10.11am on Oct 20, 2025
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.”
Russell acknowledged the importance performing in the qualifying stages of each race.
“It’s such fine margins … if I was 20 milliseconds quicker in qualifying yesterday, I’d have been on the front row and, you know, probably on course to finish second in the race.
“Qualifying is massive, turn one is massive, and I don’t even remember the last two-stop race in F1 now, it’s just quite processional, unfortunately.”
9.46am on Oct 20, 2025
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
Piastri hasn’t won a race since the Dutch Grand Prix on August 31 and hasn’t finished on the podium the past three races.
“I’d still rather be where I am than the other two, but obviously this weekend was not what I wanted or expected,” Piastri said.
The series next heads to Mexico City, where Verstappen has five career victories at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
“I think we need to be perfect until the end to have chance,” to win the championship, Verstappen said. “We’ve caught up a lot. At the same time, the gaps (between cars) are very small.”
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9.38am on Oct 20, 2025
Final standings
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9.15am on Oct 20, 2025
‘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.”
9.01am on Oct 20, 2025
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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8.03am on Oct 20, 2025
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.”
7.54am on Oct 20, 2025
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.
“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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7.37am on Oct 20, 2025
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.