On the way to McLaren’s first Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship since 2008, some adversity heavily of their own making has created some unnecessary discomfort as the stretch run of the 2025 F1 season commences.
And after the latest round of drama in yesterday’s sprint at Circuit of the Americas, things could get even more hairy for McLaren if today’s United States Grand Prix ends in a third win in four races for Max Verstappen.
Verstappen entered United States GP weekend having finished ahead of the two championship leaders, McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, in three consecutive races.
Verstappen had the perfect start to his weekend in Austin, winning yesterday’s sprint to claim eight valuable points. Those points were made even more valuable by both McLarens exiting the sprint almost immediately due to a multi-car incident triggered by Piastri’s aggressive overtake attempt in the first corner.
Now, after trailing Piastri by 104 points in the F1 standings after the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen trails by just 55 ahead of today’s race, with Norris now only 33 points ahead of the four-time defending Formula 1 World Drivers’ champion.
2025 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship Standings (Entering the United States Grand Prix)
- 1. Oscar Piastri – 336
- 2. Lando Norris – 314
- 3. Max Verstappen – 281
- 4. George Russell – 244
- 5. Charles Leclerc – 177
- 6. Lewis Hamilton – 130
- 7. Kimi Antonelli – 89
- 8. Alexander Albon – 73
- 9. Isack Hadjar – 39
- 10. Carlos Sainz Jr. – 38
- 11. Nico Hulkenberg – 37
- 12. Fernando Alonso – 36
- 13. Lance Stroll – 32
- 14. Liam Lawson – 30
- 15. Esteban Ocon – 28
- 16. Yuki Tsunoda – 22
- 17. Pierre Gasly – 20
- t18. Gabriel Bortoleto – 18
- t18. Ollie Bearman – 18
- t20. Franco Colapinto – 0
- t20. Jack Doohan – 0
A great day became even better for Verstappen by taking pole for the United States Grand Prix. Norris will join him on the front row, but Piastri will start just sixth.
This sets up a potentially pivotal day in this year’s championship clash, as Verstappen could close the 19th weekend of the Formula 1 season inside fewer than 50 points with five races remaining.
Verstappen, as expected, is a firm favorite to win the U.S. Grand Prix at BetOnline and other top online sportsbooks. Norris is second in line, followed by Piastri, Charles Leclerc, and George Russell, who won the Singapore Grand Prix last time out.
Odds to Win the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix
- Max Verstappen -170
- Lando Norris +315
- Oscar Piastri +1600
- Charles Leclerc +2000
- George Russell +2000
- Lewis Hamilton +5000
- Kimi Antonelli +12500
- Fernando Alonso +25000
- Carlos Sainz Jr. +25000
- Yuki Tsunoda +50000
- Ollie Bearman +50000
- Liam Lawson +50000
- Nico Hulkenberg +50000
- Alexander Albon +100000
- Lance Stroll +150000
- Pierre Gasly +150000
- Esteban Ocon +150000
- Isack Hadjar +150000
- Gabriel Bortoleto +150000
- Franco Colapinto +200000
United States Grand Prix Predictions and Picks
Oscar Piastri to Finish in the Top Three (+120 at BetOnline)
Since winning the Dutch Grand Prix, Piastri has had a rather forgettable stretch.
But he must continue to push, and the mission today is to at least minimize the dent that Verstappen makes into the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship standings.
To do that, some controlled aggression may be required. Can controlled aggression (and sound strategy by his team) land him on the podium? Piastri has been there 14 times in the first 18 races, and +120 to make it 15 in 19 is good value, even if so much has gone wrong for him lately.
Other F1 Betting Content
In addition to predictions and expert picks for the Singapore Grand Prix and other upcoming F1 races, you can keep up with the latest Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship odds at Betting News.
Are you new to betting on Formula 1? Check out our F1 betting guide. Also, we have other sports betting guides that can be handy for betting on Formula 1 odds, including our guide to moneyline bets, our futures bets guide, and our guide to prop bets.