Super “13” from Verstappen, disaster for McLaren and… fire in the drivers’ title battle!

Super Max Verstappen caught… 13 and set “fire” in the battle of the Formula 1 championship!



On Saturday night (18/10) one was held really chaotic Sprint Race on the Austin track, with Red Bull’s “Flying Dutchman” to takes the win in the 19-lap race and reach 13 Sprint victories in his career!

The match was marked by McLaren’s… nightmarish start, with the champion team for 2025 seeing him as much Lando Norris, as well as him Oscar Piastri to abandon from the very first turn after contact with each other, with the cars going off!

LAP 1/19

What a DRAMATIC start to this Sprint, with a first corner collision between the top-two in the championship! ??#F1Sprint #USGP pic.twitter.com/eVRnFjzFuZ

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 18, 2025

With his two main competitors out of the race, o Verstappen maintained with characteristic ease the first place he had secured from yesterday’s qualifying tests and he saw the checkered flag during… a walk, since, the Sprint was completed under safety car status, after the collision that Stroll and Ocon had!

LAP 16/19

Here’s what happened between Lance Stroll and Esteban Ocon! ????#F1Sprint #USGP pic.twitter.com/mcLU4xsCMv

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 18, 2025

The podium was completed by George Russell and Carlos Sainz with Mercedes and Williams respectively, with the two Ferraris and Hamilton-Leclerc following.

With this victory, “Super Max” got eight points and reached 281, reducing the gap to 55 from the leader of the standings, Oscar Piastri and to 33 from the second, Lando Norris, thus putting “fire” in the battle of the championship, six matches before the finale!

Aaand breathe… ?????

Let’s take stock and have a look at our points finishers from the Sprint in Austin! ??#F1Sprint #USGP @Gatorade pic.twitter.com/zypD0KReBR

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 18, 2025