Max Verstappen has said for the first time that his victory in Austin was essential for winning the world championship after the United States GP. He is now just 40 points behind leader Oscar Piastri in the drivers’ standings.

In the vibrant world of Formula 1, where every corner can be a potential turning point, Max Verstappen has sent a powerful message. After his dominant victory at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, the Dutch Red Bull driver admitted for the first time that this victory is crucial in his hunt for a fifth world title. “The opportunity is there, absolutely,” Verstappen said in the aftermath of the race, as he removed his helmet and received cheers from the crowd. With five grands prix and two sprint races still to come, he has reduced the gap to leader Oscar Piastri to just 40 points. A gap that was an unbridgeable 104 points four races ago has now become an achievable target.

The United States Grand Prix was a weekend to focus on for Verstappen. After winning the sprint on Saturday – his thirteenth sprint victory in his career – he led every lap of the main race from pole position on Sunday. A flawless start, followed by an unapproachable pace, earned him 25 points, plus eight from the sprint. “It was an incredible weekend for us,” he commented post-race, with a grin that betrayed his newfound confidence. “I knew the race wouldn’t be easy, but the car felt perfect. This is exactly what we needed to get back into the fight.” His teammate at Red Bull, Yuki Tsunoda, also scored solid points, narrowing the gap in the Constructors’ Championship with Ferrari to just seven points. McLaren may have secured their second consecutive constructors’ title, but Red Bull is breathing down the rest’s neck again.

For Piastri, the 24-year-old Australian who has impressed at McLaren all season, Austin was a bitter weekend. Starting from sixth place, he only finished fifth, good for ten measly points. His teammate Lando Norris fared better with second place after a tense duel with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, but even that reduced Piastri’s lead over Norris to 14 points. The chaos in the sprint – where Piastri and Norris retired in the first corner after a collision with Nico Hülkenberg’s Sauber – cost McLaren dearly. “There are things we need to understand from this weekend,” Piastri admitted, visibly frustrated. “It had nothing to do with qualifying; the pace just wasn’t there. But I remain focused on my own performance.” Nevertheless, the Australian, who took poles in Bahrain and Imola earlier this year, still has a 40-point buffer on Verstappen. With a maximum of 141 points still to be distributed, nothing has been decided.

The turnaround for Verstappen is nothing short or extraordinary. Four races ago, after his home race in Zandvoort, the title fight seemed to be a matter for McLaren. Piastri led by 34 points ahead of Norris and a huge margin over the rest. Red Bull suffered a slow start to the season; Verstappen had only two wins in the first half, in Japan and Azerbaijan. But upgrades in Monza – improved aerodynamics and a better setup – unleashed the Dutchman. Since then he has not finished lower than second: victories in Monza, Singapore and now Austin, plus a sprint victory in Belgium. “The last three weekends have been great, some better than others,” Verstappen laughed earlier this week. “We’re just trying to be consistent and get points where we can.” His form has not only closed the gap, but also increased the pressure on McLaren. Team principal Andrea Stella emphasized that there will be no favoritism between Piastri and Norris – “They are too close for a number one” – but the tension within the team is palpable.

The rivalry between Verstappen and the McLaren boys fuels the tension in what is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable seasons ever. Piastri, an F2 and F3 champion, showed his class with early wins in Bahrain and the Dutch GP, but recent mistakes – such as a spin in Italy – have cost him. Norris, the British sensation, has missed out on podiums but moved up with his P2 in Austin, where he twice passed Leclerc in an epic battle. “This is what Formula 1 is all about,” said Norris. “Tight, difficult, fighting against Red Bull and Max. It’s a privilege to be in this.” Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton remains steady in fourth at Mercedes, but his focus is on the upcoming transfer to Ferrari in 2026. George Russell scored a podium in Singapore, but Austin returned a sixth place.

Looking at the horizon, the Mexico City Grand Prix already beckons next week. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, with its iconic stadium section, offers opportunities for overtaking maneuvers. Verstappen never won there, but his current form makes him a favorite. McLaren must regroup; Piastri’s last podium dates back to six weeks ago in Italy. “I’m still the favorite,” Piastri claims firmly. “If we return to our form from earlier this year, the results will take care of themselves.” Verstappen counters with experience: as a four-time champion, he knows how to maintain momentum. “We’re taking it race by race,” he says. “But yes, the chance of a fifth title is now really there.”

This title battle is reminiscent of classics from the past, such as the epic duels between Senna and Prost. With drivers like Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes’ youngest-ever podium finisher – and rookies like Oliver Bearman and Gabriele Bortoleto emerging, the sport is flourishing. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was unlucky with a DNF in Austin after a clash with Antonelli, but Charles Leclerc’s consistent podiums keep them in the mix. Williams and Alpine battle for midfield supremacy, while Haas and Sauber struggle with reliability.

For Dutch fans this is a dream scenario. Verstappen, the hero from Hasselt, has captivated the Netherlands for years with his unstoppable drive. His initial admission that Austin was “essential” sounds like a promise. With 40 points behind and a Red Bull that is peaking, he dreams of title defense. Whether Piastri holds out, Norris climbs or Verstappen triumphs – the last five races promise fireworks. Formula 1 is back at its best: unpredictable, intense and ruthless. The world holds its breath.