Max dominates at COTA: 'Proud to produce such a weekend'

Published on 19 October 2025 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen has dominated the 2025 United States Grand Prix weekend. After winning the sprint from pole position on Saturday and securing pole for Sunday’s Grand Prix, the Dutchman secured his 68th win of his career. In doing so, Max further closed the gap to championship leader Oscar Piastri to forty points. The Ausie driver finished fifth, whilst his McLaren teammate Lando Norris came home in second, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

“It was an incredible weekend for us”, said Max after taking the chequered flag. “I knew it wouldn’t be straightforward race. Throughout the pace between Lando and myself was similar. I think we made the difference in the first stint. I was able to pull a gap then. It wasn’t easy to manage the tyres in both stints, but we kept the lead. I’m proud of what we did as a team this weekend.”

Nevertheless, the reigning champion remains realistic about retaining his crown. “There is a chance, but we need to try and have these weekends until the end. We will keep trying. I’m really looking forward to it! Also in Mexico it will be important to manage the tyres. There isn't much grip and the tyres will really heat up, so we'll have to wait and see."

When the lights go out, Max enjoys a solid start and holds on to the lead, having started in pole position. Behind, Charles Leclerc, the only driver in the top 15 to start on the soft Pirellis instead of the medium compound, utilises the extra grip of the red side walled tyre to pinch second place off Lando Norris.

Apart from a spin from Alex Albon, the opening couple of laps are without incident. On lap six, the virtual safety car (VSC) is deployed; Carlos Sainz’s attempt to overtake Kimi Antonelli backfires with the Spaniard clattering into the young Italian. The Williams is too damaged to continue, but the Mercedes of Antonelli continues, albeit at the back of the field.

When the VSC ends, Max enjoys a two second lead on Leclerc, who’s focus has drifted to fending off the charging Norris in third. An entertaining duel ensues with the British driver requiring several attempts to pass the Monegasque. It’s not until lap 21 that the McLaren moves into second place. A couple of laps later, Leclerc is the first driver in the top five to make his first and only stop. Ferrari service the 28-year-old with a set of new mediums, relieving him from his battered softs.

The rest of the leaders, all on mediums, stretch their first stint. Piastri is the first to blink on lap 30, followed by Hamilton a lap later. Norris pits on lap 33, followed by Max a lap later. With 21 laps to go, Max enjoys a six second lead to Leclerc. Norris, Hamilton and Piastri complete the top five.

Although the team asks Max to keep an eye on the tyres, the Dutchman manages his final stint well, withstanding the pressure from behind with relative ease.

Meanwhile, Leclerc and Norris battle it out for the runner-up spot, with Norris initially struggling to make a move. After cooling his tyres, the McLaren driver gears up for another wave of attacks to attempt to overtake the Ferrari in the closing stages. On lap 51, after trying an overtake at turn one, Norris completes the move into to hairpin after utilising a DRS slipstream. He quickly establishes a gap towards Leclerc and secures second.

At the very front, Max takes another emphatic Grand Prix win, no. 68 of his F1 career, further reducing Norris’ and Piastri’s lead in the drivers' championship.

The new Max Verstappen USA Collection is available! Bold hoodies, jackets, caps, and shirts with a fresh American look. Check it out: https://www.verstappen.com/collections/usa-collection

Results Grand Prix United States: