Jeddah brought the chaos — and the clarity. With title momentum shifting, records teased (and missed), and radio comms as spicy as the strategy calls, the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix delivered on every level. Here’s what we’re taking away from a weekend that stirred the standings and the storylines.
1. Oscar Piastri: Calm, Collected, Championship Leader
Oscar Piastri didn’t just win the race — he made history. His lights-to-flag performance makes him the first Australian to lead the F1 World Drivers’ Championship since Mark Webber in 2010.
That Turn 1 drama with Verstappen? Oscar had no doubts. “He needs to give that back,” he said on team radio. “He was never going to make that corner.” Max didn’t — and it cost him.
Post-race, even Verstappen tipped his hat: “He delivers when he has to deliver, barely makes any mistakes. That’s what you need to do when you want to fight for a championship.”
Oscar now leads the standings with 99 points. Composed, clinical, and surrounded by a sharp McLaren operation — this isn’t a hot streak. This is a title campaign.
2. Max’s Morning: Off-Track and Off the Podium
Max Verstappen went deep into Turn 1, gained a position, and didn’t give it back. The stewards gave him a 5-second penalty. The world got some peak Max radio.
“Ah he just forced me off! There was no intention of him to make that corner.”
“Well, that is **** lovely.”
Later, when asked in the media pen about the penalty, rather that get a fine, he simply replied: “I cannot share my opinion.”
The penalty dropped him out of podium contention — and also meant the sport narrowly missed tying a decades-old stat: In 1992, Nigel Mansell won the first five races from pole. Had Max won today, 2025 would’ve matched that record. Instead, it now joins 2020 in second place with the first four.
Max did hit one milestone though — he’s now surpassed Sebastian Vettel’s all-time F1 points total with 3,110.5. Only Lewis Hamilton sits above, with 4,893.5.
3. Leclerc Finds His Form — and a Stat Sheet Surprise
Charles Leclerc finally got his hands on a trophy this year, converting strong quali pace into Ferrari’s first podium of the season. That P3 finish brings his total Ferrari podiums to 44 — matching Fernando Alonso’s career tally at the Scuderia.
While Leclerc looked sharp all weekend, Hamilton struggled again in the sister car. “I was miles off, pace wise. There’s not really anything to take from these last 3 weeks, other than that I’m slow,” he admitted. Mid-race, he added: “I’m just sliding around out here mate. I can’t turn rears.”
Two drivers. One team. Very different trajectories right now.
4. George Russell: Consistency King
The scoreboard doesn’t lie — George Russell is still the only driver to finish in the top 5 in every race and sprint this season. His P5 finish also sets a new personal record: 10 top-5s in a row, stretching back to Mexico 2024.
Mercedes might not be in the title fight (yet), but George is quietly racking up points and putting together the most consistent run of his F1 career.
5. Rookie Rumbles, Midfield Mayhem
Kimi Antonelli again showed maturity beyond his years, letting a car back through at Turn 1 and avoiding the penalty that caught Verstappen out. Further back, things weren’t quite so clean.
Yuki Tsunoda tangled with Pierre Gasly and shrugged it off post-race: “Sometimes racing is like this.”
Fernando Alonso, however, didn’t let a scare slide. After almost being hit by Gabriel Bortoleto, he lit up the radio:
“Wow! He moved under braking. Woah. That was close. Bowah, so close. Check the car.”
Later, he added: “Maybe no dinner for him tonight.” After all, he manages Bortoleto and had plans to fly back with him.
Rough edges, rookie nerves — and a reminder of just how tight the margins are in the midfield.
6. McLaren Momentum and Some Brotherly Love
Lando Norris put on a clinic in damage control, recovering from a qualifying crash to finish P4. Post-race, he fired back at critics downplaying McLaren’s pace:
“People talking crap need to recalibrate their view on McLaren advantage.”
And in true bromance fashion, he made sure Oscar got his flowers too:
“I was watching you on the TV like GO ON!!”
McLaren are firing on all cylinders — and the dynamic between Lando and Oscar continues to be one of the best vibes on the grid.
7. Stat Sheet Scraps and Setup Struggles
Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, who both finished just outside the points, echoed each other post-race about squeezing performance from setups:
“We both have some [small things], but we’re really pushing hard to improve using the tools we’ve got.”
This race resulted in a double points finish, holding off Hadjar in P10, and further extending their points tally beating out their 2024 points haul.
Final Thoughts
Five races in, and we’ve got a genuine title fight. Piastri is setting the tone. Verstappen is feeling the heat. Leclerc’s found his feet. And George Russell might just be playing the long game better than anyone.
Miami is up next — and if Saudi Arabia taught us anything, it’s that nothing about 2025 is going to be predictable.