Verstappen wins in the US and boosts hopes for fifth title

October 20, 2025 / 10:41 AM

Sharjah24: Dutch Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, four-time reigning world champion, continued his strong form by claiming first place at the United States Grand Prix, Round 19 of the Formula One World Championship, in Austin. This marks Verstappen’s fifth win of the season following Japan, Emilia-Romagna, Italy and Azerbaijan, his third in the last four races and the 68th of his career, finishing ahead of British McLaren driver Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc of Monaco.

Full points haul in Austin

Verstappen secured the maximum points in Austin, winning the sprint race on Saturday, starting from pole position and taking the race victory, gaining 35 points, including 15 in his battle with McLaren’s Australian Oscar Piastri, the championship leader who finished fifth. Entering the US Grand Prix, Verstappen trailed Piastri by 55 points and Norris by 33, reducing the gap to 40 points behind Piastri and 26 behind Norris by race end. Meanwhile, Norris narrowed the gap to Piastri to 14 points. Verstappen now sits third in the standings with 306 points, compared with 346 for Piastri and 332 for Norris.

Verstappen also equalled Sebastian Vettel’s 122 podium finishes and became the most successful driver in US Grand Prix history, achieving seven wins – four in Austin, two in Miami and one in Las Vegas – surpassing Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton by one victory.