Piastri determined to find answers for Austin issues as points lead to Verstappen and Norris shrinks

Oscar Piastri's Drivers' Championship lead took a hit at the United States Grand Prix as he finished fifth on Sunday, and lost a total of 23 points to Max Verstappen across the weekend in Texas.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 19: A disappointed Oscar Piastri of Australia and McLaren speaks in the

Drivers' Championship leader Oscar Piastri is searching for answers behind his lack of pace at the United States Grand Prix weekend as Max Verstappen dominated to significantly close the gap at the top of the standings.

While the points margin between Piastri and his McLaren team mate Lando Norris has ebbed and flowed throughout the 2025 season, Verstappen remained on the fringes of the picture, with his deficit standing at 104 points following the Dutch Grand Prix.

However, the Red Bull driver has out-qualified and out-raced both McLaren drivers in every session at the subsequent four Grands Prix, with the gap between him and Piastri now just 40 after the Australian could only claim fifth in Austin while Verstappen won.

Having struggled for pace across the Austin weekend and finishing 29.678s off the lead, as well as retiring at Turn 1 of the Sprint in a collision involving Norris, Piastri is determined to find answers for his difficulties in Texas.

“Today was what it was,” he reflected. “I think, with the pace that I had, I did more or less everything. I gained a spot at the start and couldn’t really ask much more with the pace that I had.

“We need to try and understand why the pace was lacking this weekend, but not everything was bad. With the pace I had, I tried to execute the race the best as I could, and that’s all I can ask for.”

Asked how much of a threat he is feeling from Verstappen and Norris – who finished in second place to close his own points gap to the leader down to 14 – Piastri added: “Obviously, Max is closing in and so is Lando, but the gap has not been comfortable at any point this year.

"Yes, it has been a bit bigger at certain points, but at no point has it felt like I could relax or sit back.

“My mentality hasn’t changed, and it certainly won’t now. I’m just trying to do the best job I can every weekend and naturally, the results will take care of themselves.”

Formula 1 moves on to Mexico City next weekend as the three championship contenders prepare to battle it out once again.

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