Verstappen has everything for a comeback, while Ferrari’s podium raises questions
Max Verstappen enjoyed a near-perfect weekend in Texas, with his double victory further solidifying his championship credentials. The 23 points gained on Oscar Piastri are crucial, but even more important is the demonstration of Red Bull’s maturity on one of the most technically demanding circuits of the season. McLaren can take comfort from a car that still holds a pace advantage over the field, but the team has also returned to wrestling with early-season inconsistencies since the conclusion of the European calendar. For Ferrari, the podium is a morale boost but also highlights underlying performance issues with the SF-25.
Verstappen hunting down Piastri
With his win in Sunday’s race, Max Verstappen capped a weekend where everything went flawlessly. Achieving this is never easy, and it was especially challenging during the hectic Sprint Race weekend. Red Bull had to find a balance in the car setup without the same on-track testing opportunities as in previous events, which revealed their new pragmatic approach based more on driver feedback. The team succeeded in extracting all the potential from the RB21, something Verstappen noted had not fully happened in Singapore.
The double victory at Austin came on a track where balance is crucial, featuring a mix of high, medium, and low-speed corners. Ahead of the weekend, Verstappen emphasized that the RB21 has improved in balance compared to the start of the season, not just aerodynamics: “The car is now better balanced, without dramatic oversteer or understeer.” Red Bull regained control over the car’s balance, providing Verstappen with a chassis perfectly suited to his driving style. Austin confirmed that the Dutchman now has everything needed for one of the most remarkable championship comebacks in F1 history.
McLaren struggles in qualifying
There are growing concerns at McLaren, although alarm should be tempered. The setback in Texas was not so much a reflection of the MCL39’s inherent inferiority as it was a failure to optimize the package. Double early retirements in the Sprint Race hindered data collection on floor wear, forcing a conservative ride height choice.
However, it was not only an aerodynamic load issue, as neither driver felt fully comfortable. From Friday, Oscar Piastri struggled for confidence, posting inconsistent lap times compared to Hamilton. Lando Norris had a better Sunday, reaching free air pace roughly 0.25 seconds faster than Verstappen before his pit stop, showing the MCL39 remains strong in tire degradation management. McLaren’s Achilles heel continues to be qualifying, especially on tracks with heavy braking and tight corners, as seen in Austin. Properly managing this could be key to defending the title from Max Verstappen.
Ferrari’s response
Ferrari returned to the podium at a crucial moment, restoring confidence within the team and externally. Charles Leclerc capitalized on the soft tires gamble at the start, but the third-place finish was largely due to a significantly improved qualifying session. The SF-25’s recovery came from numerous small adjustments, from car setup to the launch lap preparation. Finding the right compromise in setup also allowed the tires to operate in the optimal window.
Charles Leclerc mentioned steering wheel adjustments, likely involving differential, brake balance, and engine braking. His willingness to experiment reflects the need to regain harmony with a car that has become more challenging since the rear suspension update. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s comfort with the updated Ferrari post-summer suggests the changes might have both narrowed the car’s operating window and improved handling for certain drivers. Ferrari will continue evaluating this in the final races.
Mercedes struggles despite wing adjustments
Mercedes faced a less impressive Sunday than in Singapore, on a track where increased front wing flexibility should have been more effective. The success in Marina Bay was more about overall execution than hardware. With Kimi Antonelli out of contention, Toto Wolff’s team now sees Ferrari and Red Bull closing in in the Constructors’ Championship. The battle for second place remains wide open, along with the three-way fight between Piastri, Norris, and Verstappen, where the stakes are even higher.
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