F1 Sprint Results: Title Race Takes a Dramatic Twist as McLarens Collide in US Grand Prix Sprint
The 2025 Formula 1 championship battle took an unexpected and dramatic twist at the Circuit of the Americas on Saturday, as McLaren’s hopes were dashed in a chaotic first corner that saw both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri crash out within seconds of the sprint race start.
Championship rival Max Verstappen capitalized on the chaos to secure a commanding sprint victory from pole position, taking home the maximum eight points and closing the gap significantly to the McLaren duo in the drivers’ standings. The Dutchman’s flawless performance further reignited his title bid, bringing renewed tension to what had been shaping up as a McLaren-dominated season.
Chaos at Turn 1
The drama unfolded almost immediately after the lights went out. The opening corner at COTA is notorious for incidents, and this year’s sprint was no exception. As Piastri attempted to make a move on his teammate Norris into Turn 1, he misjudged his entry and turned in too tightly. Unfortunately, he clipped the front wing of Nico Hulkenberg’s Kick Sauber, which sent his McLaren spinning directly into Norris.
The impact between the two McLarens was disastrous. Both cars suffered extensive damage, scattering debris across the track and also affecting nearby competitors. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso was caught in the mess, while Lance Stroll’s car also sustained significant damage. With carbon fibre littering the racing line, the safety car was deployed to allow marshals to clear the track.
For McLaren, it was a nightmare scenario. The double DNF not only cost them valuable sprint points but also dealt a psychological blow to their championship momentum. Both Norris and Piastri were visibly frustrated as they returned to the paddock, with team principal Andrea Stella left to pick up the pieces of what could be a crucial moment in the title fight.
Verstappen Dominates Under Pressure
Once racing resumed, Verstappen remained calm and composed, fending off George Russell of Mercedes, who applied pressure mid-race. The Briton looked strong in the opening laps and managed to keep Verstappen within reach, but the Red Bull driver managed his tyres expertly and never truly looked threatened. He crossed the finish line with a slim margin of 0.395 seconds to take his third consecutive sprint victory in Austin.
Behind them, Carlos Sainz delivered a standout performance for Williams, claiming third place and denying Lewis Hamilton a podium finish. Sainz’s consistency and strong defensive driving helped secure the team’s best sprint finish of the season, further boosting Williams’ resurgence in 2025.
Hamilton, meanwhile, had an impressive recovery drive after battling his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, overtaking him to grab fourth place. It was a spirited display from the seven-time world champion, who continues to show competitive form in his first season back at Ferrari.
Midfield Battles and Final Standings
Further down the order, Alex Albon put in another strong showing for Williams, finishing sixth ahead of Yuki Tsunoda, who salvaged seventh for Red Bull after a tough qualifying session. Rookie Kimi Antonelli claimed the final point in eighth for Mercedes, marking another step in his promising debut season.
Behind them, Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls and Pierre Gasly of Alpine rounded out the top ten. The rest of the field saw Gabriel Bortoleto, Isack Hadjar, and Nico Hulkenberg all narrowly missing out on points. Franco Colapinto came home 14th for Alpine, while Oliver Bearman finished 15th after serving a 10-second penalty.
Sprint Results – 2025 US Grand Prix
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- George Russell (Mercedes) +0.395s
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) +0.791s
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +1.224s
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +1.825s
- Alex Albon (Williams) +2.576s
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) +2.976s
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +4.147s
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) +4.804s
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +5.126s
DNFs: Norris, Piastri, Alonso, Stroll, and Ocon.
A Title Battle Reignited
Verstappen’s victory means the title race has swung sharply back in his favor. With both McLarens scoring zero, the championship gap has narrowed dramatically heading into Sunday’s main race. What seemed like McLaren’s year may now turn into another Verstappen charge as the season enters its final stretch.
The stage is set for a thrilling showdown in Austin — and perhaps a decisive turning point in the 2025 championship fight.
