Red Bull takes third from McLaren on countback despite points tie

McLaren arrived at the United States Grand Prix seven points ahead of Red Bull. The Austin results erased that gap without separating the teams: Max Verstappen finished third and Isack Hadjar sixth for Red Bull, while Lando Norris was fifth and Oscar Piastri seventh for McLaren. Both teams left on 355 points, but Red Bull moved into third in the constructors’ standings.

Formula 1’s countback rule, Article A2.1.4.c, settles a points tie by comparing results. Both teams have two Grand Prix wins in 2026, so second places decide the order: Red Bull has four in 2026, McLaren two. That puts Red Bull third with five races left in the 2026 season.

The position also carries financial and development consequences. One place can be worth around $10 million in prize money. The constructors’ standings are also used for F1’s Aerodynamic Testing Restrictions, measured at mid-season and at the end of the championship: third place receives 80% of the standard wind-tunnel and simulator allowance, compared with 85% for fourth.