Max Verstappen wins dramatic US GP sprint as McLaren's title rivals fall apart

US Grand Prix: The McLaren crash gave Max Verstappen a significant advantage in the title race. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the sprint race (REUTERS) Max Verstappen seized a golden opportunity to bolster his championship hopes at the US Grand Prix sprint race, claiming victory in a dramatic event that saw McLaren’s title contenders Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris crash on the opening race have. The chaotic race, held at the Circuit of the Americas on Saturday, October 18, 2025, reshaped the championship landscape and gave Verstappen an important points boost. Details of McLaren’s accident The race began with high tension as McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris battled for position in Turn 1. Piastri, who started strongly but positioned on the outside, tried to cut back into Norris, who ran deep into the corner to defend his place. Meanwhile, Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg, trying to capitalize on the inside line, made contact with Piastri’s car. The collision sent Piastri’s McLaren into Norris, causing damage to both drivers. Hülkenberg also suffered, losing his front wing and falling to the back of the field. The incident mirrored a similar collision between the McLaren duo two weeks earlier at the Singapore Grand Prix, where Norris faced blame and unknown “consequences” from the team. The FIA ​​stewards, in line with their policy on first round incidents, did not investigate the collision. Max Verstappen capitalizes on chaos Max Verstappen started from pole, avoided the Turn 1 chaos and led the field after a five-lap safety car period to clear debris. Despite a daring but unsuccessful overtaking attempt by Mercedes’ George Russell on lap 8, which sent both drivers running off the track, Verstappen maintained control. He built a two-second lead over Russell and held it until a late safety car, caused by a collision between Lance Stroll and Esteban Ocon, brought the race to a caution. Verstappen’s victory earned him eight crucial points, closing the gap to championship leader Piastri to 55 points and to Norris to 33 points. Podium and points shake-up Williams’ Carlos Sainz secured a well-deserved third place, marking his second podium of the season heading into Azerbaijan. Lewis Hamilton executed a skilful pass on Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc to claim fourth, with Leclerc settling for fifth. Alex Albon took sixth for Williams, while Yuki Tsunoda’s remarkable recovery from the first-corner chaos earned him seventh. Andrea Kimi Antonelli rounded out the points in eighth after Haas’ Oliver Bearman was penalized for gaining an advantage by leaving the track. Championship implications The McLaren crash gave Verstappen a significant advantage in the title race. Going into the sprint, Piastri Norris led by 22 points, with Verstappen 63 points behind the Australian. Verstappen’s win, coupled with McLaren’s double DNF, intensified the championship battle. With the main US Grand Prix still to come, the battle for the 2025 title remains wide open.