Overview

• Max Verstappen took double pole and won both the Sprint and the Grand Prix in Austin to bank maximum points, trimming his deficit to 40 over Oscar Piastri and 26 to Lando Norris.
• The Sprint start collision involving Oscar Piastri, Nico Hülkenberg and Lando Norris eliminated both McLarens and dented the team’s weekend haul.
• McLaren attributed its underperformance to conservative ride height after losing Sprint data, extended running in traffic behind Charles Leclerc, and possible undetected damage on Piastri’s car, which will be re‑examined.
• Analysts and team figures say Red Bull now appears to have the strongest package again, a turnaround linked to better setup understanding under Laurent Mekies, as Verstappen declares his title chance is intact.
• Five Grands Prix and two Sprints remain—Mexico City next, then São Paulo with a Sprint—while Ferrari and Mercedes form threatens to siphon points from McLaren; Norris says his approach does not change.