{"id":4611,"date":"2025-10-20T16:40:33","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T14:40:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swazidailynews.com\/?p=4611"},"modified":"2025-10-20T16:40:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T14:40:33","slug":"verstappen-to-the-max-watching-history-in-the-making","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/genesisekucalenimedia.com\/edn\/4611\/national\/verstappen-to-the-max-watching-history-in-the-making\/","title":{"rendered":"VERSTAPPEN TO THE MAX: watching history in the making"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Max Verstappen dominated the weekend, winning both the sprint and the main race, reigniting his title hopes.<\/p>\n

This was his 68th career victory and cut his deficit to championship leader Oscar Piastri to 40 points. This weekend alone he clawed back 23 points.<\/p>\n

Lando Norris finished P2 after an intense battle with Charles Leclerc, who secured P3 for Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton came home in P4, while Piastri managed only P5 after a tough race.<\/p>\n

Verstappen led from lights to flag, with strong pace and strategy making the difference in the first stint.<\/p>\n

SPRINT DRAMA<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Sprint was chaotic: both McLarens (Norris and Piastri) retired on Lap 1 after a Turn 1 collision triggered by Nico H\u00fclkenberg tagging Piastri. Verstappen won the sprint ahead of George Russell and Carlos Sainz.<\/p>\n

CHAMPIONSHIP IMPACT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Verstappen\u2019s double win means he has scored as many points as both McLaren drivers combined over the last five races, putting him firmly back in contention. Norris is now just 14 points behind Piastri in the drivers\u2019 championship.<\/p>\n

BATTLE FOR P2<\/strong><\/p>\n

The battle between Norris and Leclerc was one of the highlights of the race, and it lasted almost the entire 56 laps.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

With about five laps to go, Norris launched his last charge. He first tried a move into Turn 1 on lap 51, but Leclerc countered brilliantly.<\/p>\n

Later on the same lap, Norris attacked down the back straight and finally secured P2 for good.<\/p>\n

ANOTHER MILESTONE FOR HAMILTON<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hamilton reached 5 000 career points by finishing 4th, which earned him 12 points, bringing his total to 5 004.5.<\/p>\n

This makes him the first driver in Formula 1 history to surpass the 5 000-point mark.<\/p>\n

This milestone highlights Hamilton\u2019s longevity and consistency over nearly two decades in F1.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Max Verstappen dominated the weekend, winning both the sprint and the main race, reigniting his title hopes. 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