F1 – Verstappen Wins US Grand Prix Ahead of Norris and Leclerc

Max Verstappen delivered a commanding performance at the 2025 F1 United States Grand Prix, taking victory ahead of Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc. The Red Bull Racing driver led from lights to flag at the Circuit of the Americas, cutting his championship deficit to Oscar Piastri to just 40 points.

A Strong Start for Red Bull

Verstappen launched cleanly from pole, pulling clear as Norris struggled off the line from the dirty side of the grid. That slow getaway allowed Leclerc to slip into second at Turn 1, leaving the McLaren driver to chase from third.

Behind them, the opening lap saw drama as Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri both passed George Russell. Further back, contact between Carlos Sainz and Kimi Antonelli ended the Williams driver’s race, triggering a brief Virtual Safety Car. When racing resumed, Verstappen quickly built a comfortable lead.

Mid-Race Battles and Strategy Calls

As the first stint unfolded, Verstappen stretched his gap to over seven seconds while Leclerc managed his soft tyres to extend his run. Norris, however, was relentless in his pursuit and eventually forced his way past the Ferrari to reclaim second place before the pit stops began.

Leclerc switched to mediums on lap 22, emerging in traffic behind Nico Hülkenberg. The leaders soon followed, with Verstappen making his single stop for fresh softs on lap 33. He rejoined six seconds clear of Leclerc, who had used his tyres well to stay in contention.

Final Laps and Closing Pressure

Norris once again hunted down Leclerc in the final third, his new soft tyres giving him the edge. On lap 51, he executed a decisive DRS-assisted move to reclaim second, while Verstappen maintained full control at the front. Despite the McLaren’s pace, the Red Bull was untouchable to the flag.

Verstappen crossed the line to secure his 68th career win, finishing 7.9 seconds ahead of Norris and 15 seconds clear of Leclerc. Hamilton and Piastri completed the top five, followed by Russell, Tsunoda, Hülkenberg, Bearman, and Alonso.

Power and Performance

Verstappen’s Red Bull-Honda RBPT once again showcased outstanding efficiency, combining balanced aerodynamics and tyre management. The single-stop strategy underlined the car’s superior race pace, with consistent lap times and top-end speed that proved decisive in Austin’s long straights.