The 2025 Formula 1 season continues to deliver drama and excitement, and the Jeddah Grand Prix was no exception. Held under the lights of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the race weekend was packed with action, surprises, and talking points that have the F1 world buzzing. This article delves into the key moments of the race weekend, from qualifying drama to the race-day showdown, while also touching upon the ongoing rumors surrounding potential team acquisitions.

Before diving into the track action, it’s worth addressing the persistent rumors swirling around Saudi Arabia’s potential involvement in Formula 1 team ownership. Speculation has been rife, with whispers suggesting interest in either Alpine or Aston Martin. While concrete details remain unknown, the possibility of increased Saudi investment adds another layer of intrigue to the sport’s landscape. The potential for a new powerhouse team or a significant injection of resources into an existing one is a topic that continues to fuel discussions among fans and pundits alike.

Saudi Arabian GP Practice Sessions

The practice sessions leading up to the Jeddah GP were relatively straightforward, allowing teams to fine-tune their setups and gather crucial data on tire degradation and track behavior. Red Bull notably focused on adjustments to their cooling system, a critical factor given the high-speed nature of the Jeddah circuit. However, the sessions weren’t without incident. Yuki Tsunoda suffered a crash which crucially limited his time on track and getting to know the car.

Qualifying: Fight for Pole Position

Qualifying kicked off with a dramatic Q1 session. Hadjar crashed into the wall at the final turn, a corner that had already seen numerous close calls during free practice. The unforgiving nature of the Jeddah circuit was once again on display. Albon also had a close call, tapping the wall but escaping without significant damage.

The session culminated with Verstappen setting the fastest time, followed by Norris in second and Piastri in third. The drivers eliminated in Q1 were Bortoleto (P20), Ocon (P19), Hulkenberg (P18), Doohan (P17), and Stroll (P16). This result was particularly noteworthy for Stroll, who now holds the unfortunate record for the most Q1 eliminations in F1 history. Q1 demonstrated the incredible precision and bravery of the drivers, pushing their cars to the absolute limit, mere millimeters from the unforgiving walls of Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

Q2 continued the trend of intense competition. Norris topped the session, with Verstappen and Piastri close behind. The drivers eliminated in Q2 were Bearman (P15), Hadjar (P14), Alonso (P13), Lawson (P12), and Albon (P11). Notably, all the Red Bulls, McLarens, Mercedes, and Ferraris progressed to Q3. Carlos Sainz, and Alpine’s Gasly also secured spots in Q3, showcasing strong performances. Sainz, in particular, seemed to be gaining confidence in his car, building on his promising showing in Bahrain.

The final qualifying session, Q3, was nothing short of chaotic. Norris crashed, bringing out a red flag and disrupting the session. In the end, Verstappen clinched pole position, edging out Piastri. Piastri had initially held provisional pole after being the only driver to complete a lap before the red flag. Russell secured third place, highlighting the competitiveness of the field.

The final qualifying order saw Verstappen (P1), Piastri (P2), Russell (P3), Leclerc (P4), Antonelli (P5), Sainz (P6), Hamilton (P7), Tsunoda (P8), Gasly (P9), and Norris (P10). Special mentions were deserved for Antonelli, Sainz, and Gasly, who delivered impressive qualifying performances. The ongoing battle for pole position between Verstappen and the McLarens is quickly becoming a defining feature of the 2025 season.

Jeddah GP Race Day

The Jeddah Grand Prix race itself delivered on the promise of the qualifying drama. Oscar Piastri ultimately emerged victorious, claiming his third win of the season and, crucially, taking the lead in the championship standings.

Verstappen initially led the race but received a five-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage, a decision that significantly impacted his race. The opening lap saw a dramatic incident, with Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly colliding and both drivers forced to retire, bringing out the safety car.

Lando Norris staged an impressive recovery to finish fourth, while Charles Leclerc secured the final podium position. Norris’s strong performance and tire management throughout the race were commendable, but Piastri’s ascent to the top of the F1 world is undoubtedly the story of the season so far.

During the race, a near-miss occurred when Bortoleto almost collided with Alonso while battling with Lawson. Fortunately, a crash was avoided. Lawson himself received a 10-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.

Several teams employed strategic tactics, shuffling their car orders in the latter part of the race. Russell and Antonelli continued their consistent form, finishing fifth and sixth, respectively. Hamilton, still adapting to his Ferrari, finished seventh, delivering a solid performance. Sainz finished eighth, and Albon secured ninth, showcasing the improved competitiveness of the Williams cars. Hadjar rounded out the top ten, continuing to impress.

A notable mention goes to Ollie Bearman, who finished 13th, gaining two positions and delivering a decent race. The Jeddah GP proved to be a race filled with drama, excitement, and most importantly – high speeds.

Team standings