Oscar Piastri secured a brilliant victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, marking his third win of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The 24-year-old McLaren driver now leads the World Championship for the first time in his career, following victories in Bahrain and China.
Composed Driving in Jeddah
Piastri started second on the grid behind Max Verstappen, but it was his composure and skill that saw him rise to the top. Early in the race, Verstappen and Piastri made contact, forcing Verstappen wide at turn two. Though Verstappen initially held the lead, the incident was reviewed, and he was handed a five-second penalty for not yielding to Piastri. Despite his efforts to build a gap, Verstappen couldn’t shake off Piastri before the pit stops.
McLaren’s flawless strategy and Piastri’s superior tyre management allowed him to take control of the race after the pit stops. He maintained his lead, crossing the finish line 2.8 seconds ahead of Verstappen. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished third, while Lando Norris made a remarkable recovery from 10th on the grid to finish fourth.
Verstappen’s Strong Performance Despite Penalty
While Verstappen expressed frustration over the penalty, questioning whether he should have given up the position earlier, the Red Bull driver admitted that he simply didn’t have the pace to challenge Piastri. After struggling in Bahrain, his car performed much better in Jeddah, and Red Bull will be encouraged by the progress. However, they remain aware of the car’s sensitivity to setup, which could pose challenges as the season unfolds.
The points gained from his second-place finish keep Verstappen in the championship hunt, placing him third, 12 points behind Piastri. With McLaren proving to have the most race-ready car, particularly in tyre management, Piastri’s consistency could prove to be crucial as the season progresses.
Norris Faces Setback but Shows Promise
Lando Norris, once seen as a title favourite, experienced a tough race after crashing in qualifying. Despite this, he managed to finish in a solid fourth place, executing a clever counter-strategy with hard tyres. However, Norris remained critical of his own performance, recognizing that continued mistakes could hinder his championship challenge. Currently, Piastri holds a 10-point lead over Norris in the standings.
McLaren Dominates, But Competitors Close In
Piastri’s precise and error-free driving stood out throughout the race. Navigating the high-speed Jeddah circuit with confidence, he showed maturity and calm under pressure. His consistent performance has made him the driver to beat this season, and his impressive pace has placed him firmly at the top of the standings.
In the mid-field, Mercedes’ George Russell took fifth place, with teammate Kimi Antonelli finishing in sixth. Carlos Sainz of Ferrari finished seventh, while Williams’ Alex Albon finished eighth. Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls rounded out the top 10.
Piastri Takes Charge of the 2025 Championship
With his third win in four races, Piastri has firmly established himself as the dominant force in the 2025 Formula 1 season. His rivals will need to respond quickly to prevent him from extending his championship lead. As McLaren continues to deliver strong performances
