Max Verstappen has declared that the Formula One title race is “alive again” after reigniting his championship hopes with a flawless performance at the United States Grand Prix.
The Dutchman’s victory in Austin, coupled with Oscar Piastri’s underwhelming fifth-place finish, has slashed the championship gap to 40 points with five races remaining.
Verstappen, who just weeks ago appeared out of contention, delivered a near-perfect weekend at the Circuit of the Americas.
He won both the Sprint and the main race, capitalising on a first-lap collision that eliminated his closest McLaren rivals.
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The result marked his third Grand Prix victory in four races and earned him the maximum points haul, transforming what once seemed a procession for Piastri into a genuine contest.
“Yeah, for sure, the chance is there,” Verstappen said after climbing from his car in Austin.
“We just need to try and deliver these weekends until the end. We will try whatever we can. It’s exciting and I’m very excited until the end.”
Unbelievable weekend!!! Let’s keep this momentum up @redbullracing 💪 pic.twitter.com/VB4E53qii4
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) October 19, 2025
Five races ago, Verstappen trailed by 104 points following Piastri’s triumph at the Dutch Grand Prix, his prospects for a fifth successive world title seemingly remote.
Yet a series of strong results, combined with McLaren’s inconsistency, has dramatically shifted the balance of power.
With 141 points still available and the Mexico City Grand Prix looming this weekend, the reigning champion suddenly finds himself within striking distance.
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Max Verstappen was nothing short of sensational on Sunday as he won the United States Grand Prix
|REUTERS
Verstappen’s victory was built on a commanding start.
Launching cleanly from pole, he surged ahead at Turn One while Lando Norris slipped behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
The setback proved crucial. Leclerc’s decision to begin the race on the faster soft tyre forced Norris into an early battle to regain second place, allowing Verstappen to extend his lead.
Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc were forced to settle for second and third respectively at the United States Grand Prix
|REUTERS
The Red Bull driver’s control thereafter was assured.
By the time Norris cleared Leclerc for good, Verstappen had already created a cushion he never looked likely to relinquish.
He crossed the line eight seconds clear, underscoring both his composure and the strategic precision of his team.
Max Verstappen is dreaming of a fifth F1 title on the trot following his victory at the United States Grand Prix
|REUTERS
“Today what was key was that first stint where Charles was basically holding up Lando quite a bit, because that’s where I could make my gap,” Verstappen explained.
“As soon as Lando was in clean air he was very fast, matching or being faster than us.
“Basically that gap stayed more or less the same until the end, where Lando again of course had to pass Charles.
“We won today and of course we had a very, very good weekend. I do think we still need to improve a little bit in our race pace, but I take it.
“A weekend like this, not entirely dominant in the race, but we still win, and I think that’s very important.”
The win reinforces Verstappen’s resilience in a season that has tested his patience and adaptability. While Red Bull have not enjoyed the same level of dominance that carried them through previous campaigns, the team’s late-season revival has restored belief that a fifth consecutive world title remains within reach.