F1 US Grand Prix 2025 results: Final classification with penalties applied… Read more
US Grand Prix 2025 results: Final classification with penalties applied… Read more
By Hugo Harvey
Monday, 20 October 2025 | Updated 00:55
The 2025 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) delivered a thrilling mix of chaos, comeback, and championship drama as Max Verstappen claimed his 68th career Formula 1 victory, keeping his title hopes alive with a dominant display on Sunday.
After a turbulent sprint on Saturday — where Turn 1 carnage took out Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, and Fernando Alonso — the Dutchman recovered superbly to clinch maximum glory in Austin. His victory narrows the gap to Piastri in the Drivers’ Championship to just 40 points, setting up a fierce final stretch in the 2025 season.
Race Recap
The race began under scorching Texas heat, with the front runners jostling for early position. Norris launched well off the line, but Verstappen quickly took command by Turn 11, demonstrating classic Red Bull straight-line efficiency.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton continued their solid form, finishing third and fourth respectively, with both drivers showing consistent pace and strong tyre management.
Oscar Piastri, despite McLaren’s early pit strategy gamble, could only secure P5, losing further ground in the title race but managing to minimize damage after a difficult sprint.
Behind the frontrunners, George Russell brought home valuable points for Mercedes, finishing sixth, while Yuki Tsunoda impressed in seventh for Red Bull, maintaining composure throughout the 56-lap contest.
Final Classification – 2025 United States Grand Prix
(With all penalties applied)
| Position | Driver | Team | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | — |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +7.959s |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +15.373s |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +28.536s |
| 5 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +29.678s |
| 6 | George Russell | Mercedes | +33.456s |
| 7 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull | +52.714s |
| 8 | Nico Hülkenberg | Kick Sauber | +57.249s |
| 9 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | +64.722s |
| 10 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +70.001s |
| 11 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | +73.209s |
| 12 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +74.778s |
| 13 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +75.746s |
| 14 | Alex Albon | Williams | +80.000s |
| 15 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | +83.043s |
| 16 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | +92.807s |
| 17 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | +1 Lap |
| 18 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber | +1 Lap |
| 19 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +1 Lap |
| DNF | Carlos Sainz | Williams | +49 Laps |
Fastest Lap: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:37.577 on Lap 33
Key Talking Points
- Verstappen’s dominance: The reigning champion delivered a controlled drive, showing flashes of the relentless form that defined his earlier title-winning campaigns. His strategic tyre management and late-race pace underlined Red Bull’s recovery after a mixed mid-season.
- Ferrari’s resurgence: Both Leclerc and Hamilton scored solid points, highlighting the SF-25’s strong race-day balance. The Scuderia’s consistency continues to improve as Hamilton’s adaptation to Ferrari enters its stride.
- McLaren’s missed opportunity: Despite strong qualifying pace, Norris and Piastri couldn’t convert it into a win. Norris’s P2 finish was damage limitation, while Piastri’s P5 leaves him under pressure as the championship nears its climax.
- Midfield heroics: Oliver Bearman secured another points finish for Haas, and Yuki Tsunoda continued to impress with measured aggression and reliability in the upgraded Red Bull.
No Fastest Lap Point in 2025
Under the new 2025 F1 regulations, the fastest lap point has been removed, marking the end of an era. Since 2019, one point was awarded to drivers finishing in the top ten who set the fastest lap, often influencing championship outcomes.
The rule change aims to discourage strategic tyre changes solely for fastest lap attempts, a tactic that frequently distorted race endings — most notably in Daniel Ricciardo’s final race in 2024, when he pitted late in Singapore to deny Norris a point that ultimately benefited Verstappen.
Championship Outlook
With only five rounds remaining, the title fight between Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen remains wide open. Verstappen’s COTA win not only reignites the battle but also sets up a high-stakes showdown heading into Mexico.
The paddock now moves south to Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where Ferrari’s straight-line speed and McLaren’s cornering grip will be tested against Red Bull’s renewed form.
Final word:
Verstappen reminded the grid — and his rivals — that the champion’s fire still burns. The battle is far from over.
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