Max Verstappen did it again. In fact, he completely dismantled McLaren in Texas. Whilst most thought the championship was already decided, he served up a world‑class demonstration at the Circuit of the Americas. The numbers are merciless: from 104 points behind to just 40 points in five race weekends. If this doesn’t become a comeback of world proportions, we don’t know what will.
The Perfect Weekend: A Royal Flush in Texas
Let’s get the facts straight, because this weekend was so dominant that even the Spanish media called it a royal flush: five winning cards in a row. This is what Max bagged:
- Sprint Qualifying: pole position
- Sprint Race: victory
- Qualifying: pole position
- Grand Prix: flag‑to‑flag victory
- Fastest Lap: narrowly slipped away, but four out of five isn’t bad either
Whilst the McLaren drivers got in each other’s way in the sprint race, Verstappen was in control mode. Dominance pure and simple, like in the years when Red Bull ruled the roost.
The McLaren Nightmare: How a Collision Ruined Everything
The drama at McLaren began in the sprint race. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris collided and pulverised their data collection. On a bumpy circuit like COTA, that means forced conservatism on Sunday: higher ride height, less downforce, lower corner speed and zero resistance against a flawless Verstappen.
The numbers are merciless:
| Driver | Average Gap |
|---|---|
| Lando Norris | +0.083 s per lap |
| Oscar Piastri | +0.494 s per lap |
Four‑tenths difference between team‑mates is no longer a detail, that’s a gap as big as Texas itself.
Media Go After Piastri
The international press didn’t spare Piastri. Marca spoke of “possibly one of the biggest collapses in the history of Formula 1”. La Gazzetta dello Sport stated that “the ice‑cold Piastri now seems to have lost his way” and warned of a major risk if the trend continues. Just one position gained during the race and constantly checking the mirrors for the orange Red Bull with number 1: that does something to your confidence.
Verstappen on Fire: The Comeback Nobody Saw Coming
Remember when Verstappen earlier this year doubted whether he’d even win another race? That quote is now ripe for the archives. Since Monza he’s closed the gap by 64 points. German publication Bild is openly dreaming of “the greatest comeback in the history of Formula 1”, and honestly: with five weekends to go and only 40 points behind Piastri (and 26 behind Norris), anything is possible.
The Guardian summed it up perfectly: “The disillusioned driver who thought his title defence was over has re‑emerged as a serious contender.” Moreover, Verstappen has something Norris and Piastri don’t: experience in finishing a title fight. Four world titles tell the story.
The Technical Factor: Red Bull Is Back
It’s not just the man in the cockpit. The RB20 has been a different car since the Monza updates. Where Red Bull previously struggled with balance on bumpy circuits, the machine is now competitive everywhere. In the closing phase of the race Verstappen even had pace in hand, especially in sector 1 where he deliberately saved the tyres. That’s luxury: focusing on race management instead of fighting for every tenth.
The so‑called Mekies cure, named after technical director Enrico Mekies, is paying off. Red Bull looks vital, competitive and dangerous again.
What Does This Mean for the Title Fight?
The standings after Austin:
| Position | Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oscar Piastri | 340 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | 326 |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | 300 |
There are still 141 points on the table in five weekends, including sprints. Verstappen needs to make up an average of eight points per weekend on Piastri. Two mistakes by McLaren and two dominant weekends for Max are enough to close the gap.
McLaren Feels the Pressure and It Shows
You can feel the tension at the Woking team. The touch between Piastri and Norris doesn’t happen when everyone’s relaxed. Cautious strategy, higher ride height and doubt in the pitbox: these are signs of a team feeling the pressure. Corriere dello Sport put it well: “The entire McLaren team is under stress, whilst Verstappen is having fun in the meantime.”
And that’s perhaps the biggest difference. Max has his smile back. The pressure is on McLaren to hold onto what’s left of the advantage.
What Can We Expect in the Coming Races?
The calendar for the final five weekends:
- Mexico City Grand Prix
- São Paulo Grand Prix (including sprint)
- Las Vegas Grand Prix (new tarmac, so lots of uncertainty)
- Qatar Grand Prix (also with sprint)
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (season finale)
Two sprints mean extra points opportunities. Given his dominance in the Austin sprint race, that’s music to any Red Bull fan’s ears.
For the Sim Racers Among Us
Want to recreate what Max did? COTA is available in virtually every modern sim.
F1 24 or F1 25
- Focus on sector 1 and the fast S‑curves
- Manage tyres over the bumps and kerbs
- Run with a low ride height if you can control the car
iRacing
- Account for the notorious bumps and adapt your setup accordingly
- The long straight to Turn 12 makes or breaks your lap time
- Copy Verstappen’s lines in sector 1 for the biggest time advantage
Assetto Corsa Competizione
- Download a good COTA mod and check the grip levels
- Play with different tyre strategies for long races
- Watch track evolution, because grip levels rise quickly
The Ultimate Question: Can Max Really Still Do It?
Clawing back forty points in five weekends is no sinecure, but if anyone can do it, it’s Verstappen. He races best under pressure, his car is competitive again and his two McLaren rivals are making mistakes at crucial moments. Italian media already gave him a 9 and called him “on fire”. The Guardian spoke of an “extraordinary turnaround”. And best of all: Max believes in it himself again.
As Bild put it: “At Red Bull they dream of the greatest comeback in the history of Formula 1.” We’re dreaming along.
Final Thought: Enjoy the Ride
Whether it succeeds or not, the title fight is nail‑biting again. McLaren is under pressure, Ferrari smells opportunities and Verstappen races like he never left. Next stop: Mexico City. If Max wins there again, things get really exciting.
#SuperMax #AustinGP #F1 #VerstappenDominance #McLarenNightmare
Don’t want to miss a moment of this title fight? Keep following MySimRig for F1 news, analyses and sim racing tips. And for the McLaren fans: hang in there, because a lot can still happen. But for now, the pressure is really on you.