Max Verstappen of Red Bull delivered a masterclass performance at the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, securing a flawless victory from pole position. The Dutchman led every lap, further closing the gap to championship leader Oscar Piastri. Verstappen’s win, coupled with his triumph in Saturday’s sprint race, marked a perfect weekend for the four-time world champion, who has now reduced Piastri’s lead to 40 points after trailing by 104 in August. McLaren’s Piastri finished fifth, while his teammate Lando Norris claimed second place after overtaking Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc late in the race. Norris now trails Piastri by 14 points in the drivers’ standings, with five races and two sprints remaining. Verstappen expressed optimism about his title chances, stating, ‘We just need to try and deliver these weekends until the end.’ Piastri, meanwhile, remains confident in his ability to become Australia’s first F1 champion since Alan Jones in 1980. The race featured intense battles, including Norris’s struggle to pass Leclerc, who showcased exceptional defensive driving. Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, just ahead of Piastri, while George Russell secured sixth for Mercedes. The event also saw incidents involving rookies Kimi Antonelli and Carlos Sainz, with the latter receiving a grid penalty for the next race. Despite heat concerns, the race proceeded smoothly, with Verstappen’s dominance leaving little room for rivals to challenge.