Max Verstappen put on a commanding performance at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, winning both the Saturday Sprint and Sunday’s main race. The favored McLaren drivers took each other out in Turn 1 of the Sprint, leaving the team empty-handed. Behind Verstappen, George Russell and Carlos Sainz completed the podium. On Sunday, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris engaged in a thrilling battle for second place, which Norris ultimately won. Lewis Hamilton was pleased with fourth, while Oscar Piastri never really found his rhythm and had to settle for a disappointing fifth place – ahead of Russell, Tsunoda, Hülkenberg, Bearman, and Alonso. In the championship standings, Verstappen closed the gap significantly and now sees his chances of defending the title revived, as McLaren begins to show signs of cracking under pressure. Next up: the Mexico City Grand Prix this coming weekend.