Overview
- Max Verstappen has cut Oscar Piastri’s lead to about 40 points after Austin, with five Grands Prix and two Sprints still offering roughly 141 points.
- Red Bull’s RB21 has benefited from updates and improved understanding, helping Verstappen to multiple recent poles and wins as he declares the title chance is real.
- McLaren confirmed no further new parts this season, with Andrea Stella insisting the championship outcome is in the team’s control and ruling out driver favoritism unless mathematically required.
- Team miscues have cost McLaren performance and data, including Piastri’s crashes in Baku and a double retirement in the Austin Sprint that limited long‑run setup learning; Norris’ race pace there was close to Verstappen’s despite a costly start loss to Charles Leclerc.
- Concerns over racing quality persist, with George Russell citing low tyre degradation and tiny pace gaps limiting overtakes, while Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin’s race speed trails its qualifying form and needs improvement.