United States Grand Prix 2025: Race Review

What started off as harmless social media ‘banter’ has rapidly formed a peripheral vision of reality, with a dominant display of racing at the United States Grand Prix firmly placing Max Verstappen in contention for a fifth drivers’ championship.

Do McLaren have what it takes to secure double championship glory, or has the concept of Papaya Rules overruled their chances for the 2025 season?

Key Moments

While an action-packed Sprint race provided the immediate drama that modern fans so desperately yearn for, the United States Grand Prix upheld an understated segment within the wider championship puzzle.

A key move from the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc during the opening stages of the Grand Prix, saw the Monegasque driver overtake Lando Norris into P2 position.

Conversely, Oscar Piastri was only able to improve his lacklustre Qualifying performance by one position, moving into P5, which is largely where the Australian remained throughout the race.

This proves worrisome for fans of the 24-year-old driver, who has been unable to find the podium since the Italian Grand Prix, now three races prior.

While Lap 7 saw Carlos Sainz secure a DNF result, committing a rookie error and colliding with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, very little action posed a threat to the otherwise unbothered nature of the United States Grand Prix.

During Lap 15, Lando Norris began his attack on the Ferrari ahead of him, with Charles Leclerc denying his peer any tangible momentum.

Despite launching his attack again in Lap 19, the successful move was not to be completed until Lap 21, with Norris eventually able to solidify the overtake on his target, at the cost of a black and white flag for track limits.

During Lap 33, yet another untidy pitstop from McLaren saw the British driver exit the pit lane behind Charles Leclerc, throwing desires for a potentially championship-saving seven points into jeopardy.

Such a crisis was, however, averted, with Norris calmly reclaiming P2 position during Lap 51, with 5 laps remaining.

A successful racing weekend for Red Bull ultimately saw four-time world champion Max Verstappen seal a decisive Grand Prix victory, finishing almost eight seconds ahead of Lando Norris, and further securing: sprint pole; sprint victory and pole position, as well as leading every lap of Sunday’s race.

While unable to cling on to fastest lap – clinched by Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli – the United States Grand Prix was certainly one to celebrate for Verstappen.

His podium was shared with Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc respectively, marking a first for Ferrari since the Belgian Grand Prix, which took place back in July, 2025.

United States Grand Prix 2025: Final Thoughts

While the United States Grand Prix did little to entertain, the race itself has posed an exciting dilemma with regard to the drivers’ championship.

Whether it was the departure of Christian Horner, the imperishable mentality of a four-time world champion, or the sweet and dulcet tones of Jos Verstappen, something has visibly churned out a spark in Max Verstappen since the summer break.

The Dutchman has scored an unfathomable 119 out of 133 points throughout the last five races, winning three, and serving twice as first runner-up.

Considering, before this, Max Verstappen had only secured just two victories for Red Bull this season, we are seemingly witness to a historic comeback that makes a fifth world championship seem ever-realistic.

Having whittled down the points difference behind current championship leader Oscar Piastri from 104 to 40 throughout the course of such races, all is now to fight for, with just fives Grand Prixes and two Sprint races remaining.

How, however, has McLaren contributed to the recent winning form of Max Verstappen, considering they have had such domineering success throughout the 2025 season?

While analysis cannot truly take place until after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, I suspect that the growing pressure placed on Oscar Piastri, alongside a lack of support and sportsmanship from those immediately serving him, has served hugely in his recent downwards trajectory.

Worse still for Piastri, not only has Verstappen reignited his fire, but as too has his teammate, who has proved himself as the more dominant McLaren driver in recent races, where the Australian has faltered.

The harsh reality is that Lando Norris is now just 14 points behind Oscar Piastri, with Max Verstappen breathing down both of their necks, with just 40 points also separating himself from the Australian championship leader.

Having not achieved podium points for three consecutive races, what can Piastri do to reclaim his former momentum, and will he able to do so with enough time to deny both Norris and Verstappen the chance of taking his title lead?

With the championship title fight officially invigorated, strap yourself in for a whirlwind season conclusion, with the stage now set for a three-way battle between McLaren and Verstappen.

The excitement continues next week at the Mexican Grand Prix, taking place October 26th, 2025.