Maintaining focus and equilibrium under pressure is a hallmark of Formula One’s greatest drivers, and Oscar Piastri is demonstrating this with remarkable assurance for a driver in only his third season. His victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, ahead of reigning world champion Max Verstappen, was a testament to the 24-year-old Australian’s calm demeanor, unwavering confidence, and burgeoning potential to challenge for the title.
Just a week prior, at the Bahrain GP, Piastri showcased his metronomic consistency, controlling the race from pole position with apparent ease. While the Jeddah race presented a different challenge, starting second on the grid after a stunning pole lap from Verstappen, Piastri and his McLaren team maintained their composure. Capitalizing on a five-second penalty given to Verstappen after he ran wide at turn two, Piastri seized the lead through the pit stops and never looked back.
Despite Red Bull finding a better setup for their car in Jeddah compared to their struggles in Bahrain, the McLaren’s superior race pace and kinder treatment of its tyres proved decisive. Piastri and his team executed their strategy flawlessly, turning the race into a controlled procession. The pivotal moment came early when Verstappen defended aggressively from Piastri at turn two, an incident that ultimately resulted in the five-second penalty.
Even with Verstappen pushing hard to build a sufficient gap, Piastri remained calm, managing the gap and his tyre wear. After the pit stops, his pace and tyre advantage became evident, allowing him to pull away and secure victory by 2.8 seconds. This marks Piastri’s third win of the 2025 season, further solidifying his status as a serious championship contender.
Charles Leclerc took Ferrari’s first podium of the season in third place, while Lando Norris recovered strongly from 10th on the grid to finish fourth for McLaren. George Russell finished fifth for Mercedes, with his teammate Lewis Hamilton struggling to seventh.
Piastri’s performance in Jeddah, on a circuit known for its high speeds and unforgiving nature, highlighted his confidence and the excellent handling of the McLaren MCL39. This is in stark contrast to his teammate, Norris, who, despite his raw pace, has struggled with consistency and extracting the maximum from the car at times.
With this win, Piastri takes the lead in the world championship for the first time in his career, holding a 10-point advantage over Norris, with Verstappen 12 points behind in third. This makes Piastri the first Australian to lead the drivers’ standings since his agent, Mark Webber, 15 years ago. McLaren also extended their lead in the Constructors’ Championship, demonstrating the team’s strong performance and development throughout the season.
While Verstappen and Red Bull will view Jeddah as a significant improvement over their Bahrain performance, where Verstappen finished sixth, the race underlined the narrow operating window of the Red Bull car. The Jeddah result also highlighted the importance of tyre management at this circuit, a factor where the McLaren MCL39 seems to excel.
Norris, after crashing in qualifying, delivered a commendable recovery drive. He admitted that his race pace is often stronger than his qualifying performance, indicating a potential area for improvement. The British driver is self-critical and aware of the need to eliminate unforced errors to maintain his championship challenge.
In contrast, Piastri’s Jeddah victory showcased his seamless adaptability and ability to extract maximum performance from the car. His driving style is characterized by smoothness and a lack of unnecessary drama, allowing him to maintain a consistent pace and avoid mistakes.
Kimi Antonelli finished sixth for Mercedes, with Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon in eighth and ninth for Williams, and Isack Hadjar rounding out the top ten for Racing Bulls.
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the fastest street circuit in Formula 1, presents a unique challenge to drivers. Its high-speed corners and close walls demand absolute commitment and precision. The circuit’s characteristics, including its 27 turns and three DRS zones, contribute to its exciting and unpredictable nature.