The 2025 Formula 1 season continues with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, a challenging track that is the second longest on the calendar after Spa-Francorchamps. This high-speed street circuit features 27 demanding corners and incredibly high average speeds, as evidenced by Max Verstappen's lap record of 254 km/h set during Q3 last year. This race marks the conclusion of the first triple-header of the season and promises intense action under the lights of the circuit.
Following his victory in Bahrain, Oscar Piastri arrives in Jeddah just three points behind his McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who leads the Drivers' Championship with 77 points. Verstappen, after a tough weekend in Bahrain, has dropped to third in the standings. The unique layout of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, combining tight sections with high-speed straights, presents a significant test for drivers and their cars, demanding precision and bravery.
In the Constructors' Championship, McLaren's strong performance, highlighted by Norris's third-place finish in Bahrain, puts them at the top with 151 points, a substantial 58-point lead over Mercedes. Red Bull currently occupies third place with 71 points.
The Saudi Arabian GP will take place on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at 13:00 ET / 10:00 PT. Fans in California can catch the action on ESPN or ESPN Deportes on TV, while streaming options include F1 TV Pro, Fubo, and ESPN+. In Florida and Texas, the same channels will broadcast the race live.
After qualifying on Saturday, April 19, 2025, the starting grid for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is set. Max Verstappen secured his second pole of the year and the 42nd of his F1 career, completing the 6.174 kilometers of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in 1 minute, 27 seconds, and 294 milliseconds. Oscar Piastri was just one-hundredth of a second behind Verstappen, demonstrating the competitive edge of the McLaren team.
The starting grid for the Saudi Arabian GP is as follows:
- Max Verstappen | Red Bull
- Oscar Piastri | McLaren
- George Russell | Mercedes
- Charles Leclerc | Ferrari
- Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes
- Carlos Sainz | Williams
- Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari
- Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull
- Pierre Gasly | Alpine
- Lando Norris | McLaren
- Alexander Albon | Williams
- Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls
- Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin
- Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls
- Oliver Bearman | Haas
- Lance Stroll | Aston Martin
- Jack Doohan | Alpine
- Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber
- Esteban Ocon | Haas
- Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber
This weekend's race is particularly critical for Lando Norris, who will start from the tenth position after crashing during Q3, causing a red flag that halted the session. Norris expressed frustration, stating, "I have the best car, I should be on pole." Meanwhile, Verstappen acknowledged the challenges of the circuit, saying, "Qualifying is very difficult, there are many walls, but it is very satisfying to start from the first position. I think it will be tough to keep them at bay on Sunday."
Oscar Piastri, reflecting on his performance, said, "I’m very happy with the lap. Max did a great job, and it’s a high-speed circuit where they seem to have more success. Everything is still to be decided tomorrow; it will be a tough race." George Russell, who will start third, added, "Before the session, I would have signed for third place, but after seeing how close it was, I thought there was a bit more to find. Max has done a great job, and it has been a complicated session with the red flag."
As the teams prepare for the race, all eyes will be on the battle between Verstappen and Piastri, with Norris looking to recover from his qualifying misfortune. The race is set to be a thrilling contest, with the potential for surprises given the circuit's challenging nature.
In terms of the current standings, Lando Norris leads the Drivers' Championship with 77 points, closely followed by Oscar Piastri with 74 points, and Max Verstappen at 69 points. The Constructors' Championship sees McLaren firmly in control with 151 points, followed by Mercedes at 93 points and Red Bull at 71 points.
The excitement builds as the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix approaches, promising high-speed drama and fierce competition. Fans around the world are eager to see if Verstappen can maintain his pole position or if Piastri will seize the opportunity to claim his second victory of the season.
Stay tuned as the action unfolds in Jeddah, where the stakes are high and every lap counts in the quest for the championship.
