The Austin GP: Max Is Back, Oscar Hits a Slump, and Ferrari Finds Form

Everything's bigger in Texas, and that includes the drama. The 2025 United States Grand Prix delivered the perfect late-season plot twist... Max Verstappen is officially back in the championship fight. Oscar Piastri's dwindling championship lead took another hit and Ferrari reminded everyone that they are a serious Formula 1 team after all.

Max's Revenge Era, Reloaded

Max Verstappen with his first-place trophy on the podium at the Austin Grand Prix. Courtesy of Formula1.com

If you thought Max Verstappen was returning to the number 33 after a rocky start to the season, think again. The four-time world champion strolled into Austin looking calm, cool, and borderline dangerous... and he left with a win that changes everything.

It wasn't flashy; it was vintage Max, controlled, ruthless, and brutally efficient. He nailed the strategy, kept his tires alive, and made a near ten second gap look casual agian.

More importantly, the point gap to the McLaren golden boys is shrinking fast. It's officially a three-way championship battle, and Max's timing couldn't be better. He's in full "y'all thought I was finished?" mode, and history says that's when he's the most lethal.

Oscar's Rough Weekend In the States

A dejected Oscar Piastri in the media pen after the race. Courtesy of Formula1.com

Oscar's year started out as a dream, but over the last few races, his dreams began to shift into a nightmare. His third season in F1 has been a breakout one, but Texas served up a brutal reality check.

After a scrappy sprint that took both him and his teammate (and championship rival) out on lap one, Oscar never found a groove in the main race. The pace wasn't there, the balance was off, but McLaren said the car was fine, which may actually just make things worse.

It's not a collapse, but it is a momentum shift. For a driver that's been in top form all season, this was a real off weekend. With Lando Norris quietly racking up podiums again, McLaren's "friendly competition" might be turning into a power struggle.

Ferrari: Functioning? In This Economy?

Charles Leclerc with his third-place trophy. Courtesy of Formula1.com

Believe it or not, Ferrari was good in Austin. Like, strategically sound, no tire meltdowns, and both cars solidly in the points kind of good.

Charles Leclerc managed to snag a podium, and Lewis Hamilton backed him up with clean, consistent pace all weekend.

For the first time this season, they look more like disruptors and not just spectators. Sure, they aren't crashing the championship party this year, but if this version of Ferrari shows up more often, 2026 could be very interesting.

The Big Picture

Max Verstappen leading the Austin GP from the start. Courtesy of Formula1.com

Austin reminded everyone why F1 in America always hits: big crowd, bigger energy, and an even bigger championship picture that just got way more complicated.

Max Verstappen is back in business, Oscar Piastri's hit a slump, Ferrari's back to being respectable (??!!).

And with the last few races coming up quickly, the math and memes are about to get messy.

The title fight is no longer a family affair; it's a full-blown Texas showdown.

Edited by Ashley Holloman