Oscar Piastri delivered a flawless performance at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, taking the top spot ahead of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. With this third win of the season, the 24-year-old McLaren driver now leads the 2025 Formula One world championship by 10 points, marking a key turning point in the title race.
Piastri started second on the grid at the fast and narrow Jeddah Corniche Circuit. On the opening lap, he made a bold move to pass pole-sitter Max Verstappen into turn two. Verstappen went wide to keep the lead, but the move drew a five-second penalty from race stewards. Though he stayed ahead on track for much of the race, the penalty proved costly.
Calm and Clean Execution Wins the Day
Piastri stayed focused and made no mistakes. With McLaren’s strong tire strategy and consistent race pace, he took the lead during the pit stop phase. Once ahead, he managed the gap perfectly and crossed the finish line 2.8 seconds in front of Verstappen.
This win follows his earlier victories in Bahrain and China, further proving that Piastri is not just quick—he is consistent and mentally sharp. At only 24, he is showing the skills and control of a seasoned champion.
“Oscar drove a brilliant race,” said a McLaren team spokesperson. “His pace, timing, and tire management were all on point.”
Ferrari Back on the Podium, Norris Fights Back
Charles Leclerc secured third place for Ferrari, giving the Italian team their first podium of the season. It was a welcome result after a slow start to the year.
Lando Norris, Piastri’s McLaren teammate, started from 10th after a crash in qualifying. He made up six positions in the race and finished fourth. Despite the strong drive, he now trails Piastri in the standings by 10 points.
Mercedes showed signs of improvement. George Russell finished fifth, while rookie Kimi Antonelli impressed in sixth. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton ended up in seventh, still looking for his first podium this season.
Red Bull Shows Speed but Falls Short
Max Verstappen and the Red Bull team were quick throughout the weekend, especially after a disappointing result in Bahrain. However, their car remains sensitive to setup changes. While they found better balance in Jeddah, the penalty kept them from converting pace into a win.
“The car felt good, and I think we’re going in the right direction,” Verstappen said after the race. “But we need to keep working on consistency.”
This inconsistency is one of Red Bull’s biggest challenges in 2025. When the setup clicks, they are hard to beat. When it doesn’t, they struggle.
Momentum Shift in the Championship Battle
With this win, Piastri takes control of the title race. He now leads with 68 points, followed by Norris with 58, and Verstappen with 56. The results mark a shift in momentum and spark new questions about who will emerge as the main title rival in the coming rounds.
Lando Norris, despite being seen as McLaren’s lead driver, now finds himself chasing his teammate. He admitted frustration over his qualifying mistake but praised the team for the strong recovery strategy.
“It’s not the weekend I wanted, but we’ll keep pushing,” Norris said.
Strong Performances Across the Field
Further down the grid, Carlos Sainz claimed eighth for Ferrari. Alex Albon scored valuable points for Williams with a ninth-place finish, and Isack Hadjar took tenth for Racing Bulls.
The season remains wide open, with several drivers capable of winning races. However, Piastri’s calm and consistent approach has made him the early favorite for the title.
The next race will take place in Melbourne, Australia—Piastri’s home Grand Prix. With confidence running high and momentum on his side, all eyes will be on whether he can extend his championship lead in front of a home crowd.