Oscar Piastri showed impressive skill and calmness to win the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The 24-year-old Australian driver passed Max Verstappen both in the race and in the overall standings. With this win, Piastri now leads the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship. He took control of the race after a smart pit stop strategy and a penalty given to Verstappen.
Penalty Gives Piastri the Edge in Saudi Grand Prix
Max Verstappen started the race in pole position and held the lead into the first corner. But at turn two, he ran wide while defending against Oscar Piastri, who had made a bold move on the inside. The stewards reviewed the incident and gave Verstappen a five-second time penalty. He stayed in front for a while, but could not pull away fast enough to make up for the penalty.
McLaren used the opportunity well. Their pit stop strategy was clean and fast. Piastri, with better race pace and good tyre care, took over the lead. From that point on, he kept control with ease. He finished the race 2.8 seconds ahead of Verstappen.
Third Win of the Season
This win marks Piastri’s third victory of the 2025 season, following strong performances in Bahrain and China. With 75 points, he now leads the drivers’ standings. Lando Norris is in second place, 10 points behind, while Verstappen is third, 12 points behind Piastri.
Piastri’s steady approach and clean driving have become his strength. He stayed calm even under pressure around the fast and dangerous Jeddah street circuit. His success shows that he is not only quick, but also clever in how he manages races.
Red Bull Still Struggling for Consistency
Verstappen and the Red Bull team looked better in Saudi Arabia than they did in Bahrain. But once again, they could not match McLaren’s pace during the full race. Red Bull’s car still struggles outside of a narrow setup range. This has hurt their consistency and performance.
Verstappen tried hard to build a gap after his penalty. But his tyres began to lose grip, and he could not get far enough ahead. He crossed the line in second place, but with the penalty added, he stayed behind Piastri.
Norris Recovers After Qualifying Crash
Lando Norris had a rough start to the weekend after crashing in qualifying. He began the race from 10th place but fought back well. Using a different strategy by starting on hard tyres, he moved up through the field and finished fourth.
Norris admitted that his mistakes in qualifying cost him a better result. But he also said that he feels confident about the car’s performance and knows he can fight for wins if he avoids errors.
Leclerc Brings Ferrari First Podium of the Season
Charles Leclerc finished third, giving Ferrari their first podium in 2025. The team had struggled in earlier races, but this result gives them hope for a stronger season. Leclerc showed good pace and held off Norris in the final laps.
George Russell finished fifth for Mercedes. The team is still trying to find the right setup, but Russell’s solid performance shows signs of improvement. Young driver Kimi Antonelli impressed again by finishing sixth. He continues to adapt quickly to F1.
Carlos Sainz finished eighth, and Alex Albon gave Williams another strong result with ninth. Rookie Isack Hadjar grabbed the final point in tenth place for Racing Bulls.
The next races will be key for the title fight. Piastri’s momentum is building, and McLaren seem to have found a winning formula. Norris remains a strong contender. Verstappen, meanwhile, will need better car balance and strategy to bounce back.
With so many drivers showing strong pace, the 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent years. Fans will be watching closely to see if Piastri can keep his lead and become Australia’s next Formula 1 world champion.