The Monegasque driver placed Ferrari within a human gap of the Dutchman, who is dreaming with eyes wide open.
Analysis of the United States GP
We should build a monument to Max Verstappen. The spectacular way in which he is striving—against all odds and challenges—to secure his fifth world championship is giving us emotions we had long forgotten. Facing a champion like him, the 40-point gap that still separates him from Oscar Piastri, with seven races remaining—five Grands Prix and two Sprints—is a detail that can be overcome, achievable. Red Bull, in fact, has caught up with McLaren, the car that until early September was considered unbeatable.
The season promises excitement because it is all too clear that Verstappen is in a league of his own, far ahead of the two young McLaren drivers. Oscar Piastri disappeared in Austin for reasons still unknown. Lando Norris, finishing 7.9 seconds behind Verstappen, took nine laps the first time and 14 laps the second to get past Charles Leclerc—far too long for a driver fighting for the title in a car capable of winning or at least challenging Verstappen.
And here, in a Formula 1 world where the car has always been decisive, the human element suddenly reasserts itself. Who could have imagined it? Max Verstappen manages, creates, and conquers, while Piastri now has “mosquitoes in his brain” clouding his judgment, and Norris, though fast and courageous, cannot show the extra touch needed to make a real difference.
In a United States GP that, by logic, seemed destined for McLaren, Ferrari suddenly emerged from nowhere, managing to stay ahead of McLaren for 37 of the 56 laps and easily leaving Mercedes behind. A surprising result at last! The credit goes to Charles Leclerc, the Texas tightrope walker, who showed nerve and precision, racing almost wheel-to-wheel with Lewis Hamilton to avoid being overtaken.
If Verstappen is the absolute number one in driving, Leclerc is very close behind, and as soon as he has a competitive car, he will be able to perform at similar levels. Securing third place, just 15 seconds behind, is a strong morale boost. Fourth place, on the other hand, likely did not sit well with Lewis Hamilton, who continues to fall short of the podium, with pace lagging behind Charles. Difficult moments, perhaps unexpected, and therefore even more bitter.
And if Ferrari has indeed solved the tire operating window problem, we can expect more excitement next Sunday: Mexico awaits the red car with its usual warmth. And so do we.
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