Saudi Grand Prix: Piastri leads F1 Championship for the first time
F1 NewsSunday, 20 April 2025 at 23:40
After an intense, race-long, cat-and-mouse duel with Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri won the Saudi Grand Prix and, after five rounds, leads the Formula 1 World Championship for the first time in his career.
As expected, there was broken metal in Jeddah. The fifth edition of the Saudi GP lasted only until Turn 5 for Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda, the pair fighting for the same piece of tarmac, made contact. Both cars speared the wall to trigger a Safety Car.
Before that, at the sharp end, Piastri blitzed off the line, squeezed past pole-sitter Verstappen into T1, but the Dutchman was having none of it, cut the track to retain the lead. He clearly needed to give P1 back to the McLaren driver.
What might've been a call from the FIA Stewards to Red Bull instructing their driver to give up the position before the Safety Car peeled into the pits. But it didn't come. Shortly after the broken bits of Alpine and Red Bull were cleared, they blasted away for the restart. Verstappen was given a five-second penalty for the Turn 1 excursion.
The #1 Red Bull led when the track went green, with Piastri tucked in behind him. The pair the class of the field as they edged away from the Mercedes of George Russell, chased by the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc. They were the podium contenders before the first pit stops.
Verstappen five-second penalty
Piastri was the first of the frontrunners to pit for Pirelli Hard tyres. Not a good stop. Verstappen pitted a couple of laps later, served the 5-second penalty only to see the McLaren flash into the lead. Chase on! The gap between P1 and P2 was three seconds at this point.
At the halfway mark, Leclerc on Mediums led from Norris on the Hards. The pair had yet to stop and were not contenders for the win or podium at this stage. Meanwhile, Piastri in P3, the de facto leader, was pumping out hot laps as Verstappen dropped to four seconds behind. Where he stayed.
Leclerc pitted on lap 20, leaving Norris in the lead without a stop at that point. The Ferrari emerged P5, sandwiched between the Mercedes duo of Russell in P4 and Antonelli P6.
When Norris finally pitted from the lead, the real order emerged. Piastri led Verstappen by 4.5s, with Russell a further six seconds behind. Chasing hard, Leclerc was setting purple laps, the final podium step up for grabs. The Ferrari on a charge was up to P3 on Lap 58. P2, aka Verstappen, was 12 seconds up the road.
At the front, it was a Piastri-Verstappen stalemate with the gap between them hovering at around 4 to 5 seconds. Leclerc in P3 had a fast-approaching Norris in his mirrors as the race entered the final ten laps. The McLaren was setting purple laps at this point.
Piastri had it under control
At the front, for the win with five to go, Verstappen broke into the three-second gap in his chase of Piastri. But it was more of a jab than a punch as the gap crept down to two seconds, clearly Oscar was in control, but with Max in maximum attack mode, the Aussie could not blink.
He didn't. Piastri held out for his third win of the season and with it take the 2024 F1 World Championship lead for the first time in his career in the top flight. A clinical, calm victory with World Champion written all over it.
Piastri said in parc ferme after his xx GP win: "It was a pretty tough race. I’m very, very happy to have won. Made the difference at the start. Made my case into Turn 1, and that was enough. It was really tricky to follow out there.
I couldn’t really stay with Max at the end of the first stint, just chewed up my tyres. And then the clean air was nice after the pit stop. Great race. We did the parts we needed to right. Still need a bit more I think, Max was a little bit too close for our liking, but a great race and a great weekend," added the winner.
Verstappen: I'm going to keep it short
Verstappen, clearly miffed by the penalty that may have cost him maximum points, was reluctant to talk about the incident: "I'm going to keep it short. A big thank you to the fans here in Jeddah. It's been a great weekend. I love the track. The rest, it is what it is. I'm looking forward to Miami, so I will see you there."
Leclerc did well to fend off a hard-charging Norris right to the end. P3 was his reward on a night when Ferrari expected less, while his illustrious teammate Lewis Hamilton struggled his way to P7. Crossing the line half a minute behind the other Red car will be a red flag for the seven-time F1 World Champion.
P4 for Norris was a handy damage limitation job, considering he started from P10. But that McLaren is so potent, he was able to scythe his way almost into podium contention — on a night he might have won, had he not binned it in Qualifying a day earlier. Advantage Oscar, heading to Miami.
P5 and P6 for the Mercedes boys — George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, respectively — will be disappointing, especially for the team leader, who started P3 but simply did not have the race pace to stay there. The 27-second gap is a head-scratcher for the team.
They would be forgiven a smile as they watched former Merc-man Hamilton’s Ferrari follow the two Silver Arrows across the Jeddah finish line.
Double points score for Williams
A double points score for Williams will be a boost for the team, with Carlos Sainz finally finding the Smooth Operator within him to finish P8, heading home teammate Alex Albon in P9.
The final point went to Isack Hadjar, the Racing Bulls rookie, keeping it clean to deliver another solid result on a day the Red Bull second driver conundrum ramped up another level. Why not throw the gutsy Frenchman into the Lion’s Den? Because Yuki is already being severely mauled by Max.
Liam Lawson only lasted two races... In this one, the New Zealander lasted until the end — but out of the points in P12 and beaten by his teammate.
Splitting the rookies on the results sheet, veteran Fernando Alonso in P11 remains scoreless this season. Anonymity existed beyond the top half-dozen. As expected, the Haas and Sauber sh!tboxes were exactly that — doing their drivers no favours.
Jack Doohan was invisible on a miserable night for Alpine. And of course, in what is becoming a tradition, Lance Stroll was awful in the Aston Martin.
2025 Saudi Grand Prix Result Provisional
Saudi Grand Prix: How the Race Unfolded
Lap 1/50: Verstappen retains lead controversially
Max Verstappen runs wide at Turn 1 while battling Oscar Piastri and keeps the lead. The incident is under investigation.
Max Verstappen runs wide at Turn 1 while battling Oscar Piastri and keeps the lead. The incident is under investigation.
Lap 1/50: Tsunoda and Gasly collide – Safety Car
Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly crash at Turn 5. Gasly is out on the spot. The Safety Car is deployed.
Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly crash at Turn 5. Gasly is out on the spot. The Safety Car is deployed.
Lap 2/50: Tsunoda retires
Tsunoda returns to the pits but retires due to damage. Esteban Ocon and Gabriel Bortoleto pit for tyres.
Tsunoda returns to the pits but retires due to damage. Esteban Ocon and Gabriel Bortoleto pit for tyres.
Lap 3/50: Safety Car coming in
Debris is cleared and Gasly’s car is removed. The race is set to resume at the end of the lap.
Debris is cleared and Gasly’s car is removed. The race is set to resume at the end of the lap.
Lap 4/50: Verstappen leads at the restart
Verstappen gets the jump on Piastri. Piastri defends from George Russell at Turn 1 to maintain second place.
Verstappen gets the jump on Piastri. Piastri defends from George Russell at Turn 1 to maintain second place.
Lap 4/50: Verstappen handed five-second penalty
Stewards penalise Verstappen for gaining an advantage by running off track during his battle with Piastri.
Stewards penalise Verstappen for gaining an advantage by running off track during his battle with Piastri.
Lap 5/50: Norris up to P8
Lando Norris gains two positions following the Tsunoda-Gasly incident and runs in P8 behind Sainz and Hamilton.
Lando Norris gains two positions following the Tsunoda-Gasly incident and runs in P8 behind Sainz and Hamilton.
Lap 6/50: Piastri within DRS range
Oscar Piastri closes to within 0.5s of Verstappen. Norris is catching Sainz in the fight for seventh.
Oscar Piastri closes to within 0.5s of Verstappen. Norris is catching Sainz in the fight for seventh.
Lap 6/50: Verstappen unhappy with penalty
Told of his five-second penalty by engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, Verstappen responds sarcastically: “Well, that is **** lovely.”
Told of his five-second penalty by engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, Verstappen responds sarcastically: “Well, that is **** lovely.”
Lap 7/50: Norris passes Sainz for P7
Norris moves ahead of Carlos Sainz into Turn 1. His next target is Lewis Hamilton.
Norris moves ahead of Carlos Sainz into Turn 1. His next target is Lewis Hamilton.
Lap 8/50: Verstappen leads Piastri by one second
George Russell sits a further 1.6s behind in third. The front three begin to separate from the field.
George Russell sits a further 1.6s behind in third. The front three begin to separate from the field.
Lap 9/50: Verstappen disputes track limits warning
Verstappen receives a warning for exceeding track limits on Lap 1. He argues he was forced off by Piastri.
Verstappen receives a warning for exceeding track limits on Lap 1. He argues he was forced off by Piastri.
Lap 10/50: Norris within one second of Hamilton
Norris continues his charge, closing in on Hamilton in the battle for sixth.
Norris continues his charge, closing in on Hamilton in the battle for sixth.
Lap 12/50: Russell drops back
George Russell is now three seconds off Verstappen and two behind Piastri, losing touch with the leaders.
George Russell is now three seconds off Verstappen and two behind Piastri, losing touch with the leaders.
Lap 13/50: Norris passes Hamilton but loses position
Norris overtakes Hamilton at the final corner, but Hamilton retakes the position on the main straight with DRS.
Norris overtakes Hamilton at the final corner, but Hamilton retakes the position on the main straight with DRS.
Lap 13/50: Verstappen maintains one-second gap
Piastri remains in range, but unable to attempt a move just yet.
Piastri remains in range, but unable to attempt a move just yet.
Lap 14/50: Norris attempts same move – again loses out
Norris dives inside at the last corner again. Hamilton uses DRS and reclaims the spot into Turn 1.
Norris dives inside at the last corner again. Hamilton uses DRS and reclaims the spot into Turn 1.
Lap 15/50: Norris finally makes it stick
Norris waits for the main straight and cleanly overtakes Hamilton for P6. He now has clear air.
Norris waits for the main straight and cleanly overtakes Hamilton for P6. He now has clear air.
Lap 16/50: Verstappen stretches lead over Russell
Max leads by six seconds over Russell. Piastri is 1.6s behind Verstappen.
Max leads by six seconds over Russell. Piastri is 1.6s behind Verstappen.
Lap 16/50: Hamilton complains of grip
Hamilton on the radio: “I’m just sliding around here mate. I can’t turn the rears.”
Hamilton on the radio: “I’m just sliding around here mate. I can’t turn the rears.”
Lap 18/50: Verstappen increases gap to 2.5s
Verstappen pushes to open the gap to Piastri ahead of his penalty. Red Bull pace appears strong.
Verstappen pushes to open the gap to Piastri ahead of his penalty. Red Bull pace appears strong.
Lap 18/50: Norris closes on Antonelli
Norris is now within DRS range of Kimi Antonelli in the fight for P5.
Norris is now within DRS range of Kimi Antonelli in the fight for P5.
Lap 19/50: Russell reports tyre degradation
George Russell tells his engineer: “My tyres are toast.” Leclerc is closing in behind.
George Russell tells his engineer: “My tyres are toast.” Leclerc is closing in behind.
Lap 19/50: Norris passes Antonelli for P5
Norris overtakes into Turn 1, continuing his progress through the field.
Norris overtakes into Turn 1, continuing his progress through the field.
Lap 20/50: Piastri pits
McLaren pits Piastri in reaction to Verstappen’s pace. He rejoins behind Hamilton in P6.
McLaren pits Piastri in reaction to Verstappen’s pace. He rejoins behind Hamilton in P6.
Lap 20/50: Russell pits
Russell stops and exits in P7 behind Sainz. He is six seconds behind Norris.
Russell stops and exits in P7 behind Sainz. He is six seconds behind Norris.
Lap 21/50: Verstappen stays out
Red Bull opts not to pit Verstappen. If the race stays green, he risks losing the lead.
Red Bull opts not to pit Verstappen. If the race stays green, he risks losing the lead.
Lap 21/50: Piastri overtakes Hamilton
Piastri makes a brave move into Turn 22, going offline in the dust to pass Hamilton.
Piastri makes a brave move into Turn 22, going offline in the dust to pass Hamilton.
Lap 22/50: Verstappen pits and serves penalty
Verstappen serves his five-second penalty during his stop. Piastri’s pace on fresh tyres puts him three seconds ahead of Verstappen, with Hamilton between them.
Verstappen serves his five-second penalty during his stop. Piastri’s pace on fresh tyres puts him three seconds ahead of Verstappen, with Hamilton between them.
Lap 23/50: Verstappen overtakes Hamilton
Max gets past Hamilton around the outside at the final corner but loses time behind the Ferrari.
Max gets past Hamilton around the outside at the final corner but loses time behind the Ferrari.
Lap 24/50: Hamilton rejoins in P8
After his pit stop, Hamilton returns to the track in P8, seven seconds behind Antonelli.
After his pit stop, Hamilton returns to the track in P8, seven seconds behind Antonelli.
Lap 25/50: Leclerc leads at halfway point
Charles Leclerc, on starting mediums, leads by three seconds from Norris. Piastri holds the net lead, four seconds ahead of Verstappen.
Charles Leclerc, on starting mediums, leads by three seconds from Norris. Piastri holds the net lead, four seconds ahead of Verstappen.
Lap 25/50: Bortoleto nearly puts Alonso in the wall
Halfway mark. After being passed by Lawson, Bortoleto swerves dangerously into Alonso’s path. Alonso avoids the barrier and overtakes next lap.
Halfway mark. After being passed by Lawson, Bortoleto swerves dangerously into Alonso’s path. Alonso avoids the barrier and overtakes next lap.
Lap 26/50: Verstappen matching Piastri
The net leaders are lapping at the same pace, but Piastri has a four-second advantage. Verstappen’s penalty and slow getaway appear costly for his win chances.
The net leaders are lapping at the same pace, but Piastri has a four-second advantage. Verstappen’s penalty and slow getaway appear costly for his win chances.
Lap 27/50: Piastri still clear in net lead
Max Verstappen remains four seconds behind. Both are holding steady lap times with no immediate threat behind.
Max Verstappen remains four seconds behind. Both are holding steady lap times with no immediate threat behind.
Lap 29/50: Leclerc still strong on mediums
Charles Leclerc impressively keeps a three-second lead over Norris despite older medium tyres, holding firm in hope of a Safety Car.
Charles Leclerc impressively keeps a three-second lead over Norris despite older medium tyres, holding firm in hope of a Safety Car.
Lap 30/50: Leclerc pits from the lead
Leclerc comes in for fresh hard tyres. Ferrari executes a rapid 2.0s stop. He rejoins in fifth, three seconds behind George Russell.
Leclerc comes in for fresh hard tyres. Ferrari executes a rapid 2.0s stop. He rejoins in fifth, three seconds behind George Russell.
Lap 32/50: Norris leads Piastri by three seconds
Norris continues to stay out on worn hard tyres, holding station in the lead while Piastri lurks three seconds behind in net P1.
Norris continues to stay out on worn hard tyres, holding station in the lead while Piastri lurks three seconds behind in net P1.
Lap 33/50: Antonelli brushes the wall
Running in P6, Kimi Antonelli gives the Turn 9 barrier a slight touch—no visible damage, but a nervy moment.
Running in P6, Kimi Antonelli gives the Turn 9 barrier a slight touch—no visible damage, but a nervy moment.
Lap 33/50: Leclerc closing on Russell
Leclerc uses his new tyres to good effect, closing to within 1.2s of the Mercedes in the battle for P3.
Leclerc uses his new tyres to good effect, closing to within 1.2s of the Mercedes in the battle for P3.
Lap 34/50: Norris told he’s hurting Piastri’s air
Piastri reports he's in dirty air behind Norris, who is being told to extend. Verstappen remains four seconds adrift.
Piastri reports he's in dirty air behind Norris, who is being told to extend. Verstappen remains four seconds adrift.
Lap 35/50: Norris pits from the lead
McLaren brings Norris in. Despite a lock-up on entry, he rejoins in P5, five seconds behind Leclerc.
McLaren brings Norris in. Despite a lock-up on entry, he rejoins in P5, five seconds behind Leclerc.
Lap 36/50: Leclerc nearly in DRS range of Russell
Leclerc edges closer to Russell, eyeing Ferrari's first Sunday podium of the season.
Leclerc edges closer to Russell, eyeing Ferrari's first Sunday podium of the season.
Lap 37/50: Norris fastest on track
On fresh mediums, Norris flies and starts closing the gap to Leclerc and Russell ahead.
On fresh mediums, Norris flies and starts closing the gap to Leclerc and Russell ahead.
Lap 37/50: Piastri enjoying clean air
With Norris out of the way, Piastri has a clear track and leads Verstappen by 4.5 seconds.
With Norris out of the way, Piastri has a clear track and leads Verstappen by 4.5 seconds.
Lap 38/50: Leclerc overtakes Russell
Leclerc gets by Russell into Turn 1 to take P3. Norris is now the next threat.
Leclerc gets by Russell into Turn 1 to take P3. Norris is now the next threat.
Lap 39/50: Norris closing on Russell
Norris has caught Russell and will soon have DRS to attempt a pass.
Norris has caught Russell and will soon have DRS to attempt a pass.
Lap 41/50: Norris noted for pit exit line
Stewards note Norris for potentially crossing the pit exit line. Incident under review.
Stewards note Norris for potentially crossing the pit exit line. Incident under review.
Lap 41/50: Sainz argues with Williams pit wall
Sainz is told to help keep Albon in DRS to defend from Hadjar. He replies: “You’re being paranoid.”
Sainz is told to help keep Albon in DRS to defend from Hadjar. He replies: “You’re being paranoid.”
Lap 42/50: Norris overtakes Russell
Norris sails by on the straight and sets sights on Leclerc, four seconds ahead.
Norris sails by on the straight and sets sights on Leclerc, four seconds ahead.
Lap 43/50: Verstappen gaining slightly
Max Verstappen chips a few tenths from Piastri's lead, but the gap remains around four seconds.
Max Verstappen chips a few tenths from Piastri's lead, but the gap remains around four seconds.
Lap 45/50: Hamilton chasing Antonelli
Hamilton starts gaining on Antonelli in the fight for P6. He’s two seconds behind and lapping quicker.
Hamilton starts gaining on Antonelli in the fight for P6. He’s two seconds behind and lapping quicker.
Lap 46/50: Piastri affected by Stroll’s dirty air
Although not close enough for blue flags, Piastri gets unsettled running a couple seconds behind Lance Stroll. Verstappen sets a personal best lap.
Although not close enough for blue flags, Piastri gets unsettled running a couple seconds behind Lance Stroll. Verstappen sets a personal best lap.
Lap 47/50: Norris within 2s of Leclerc
A scruffy lap from Leclerc sees Norris get within DRS range. A podium is in sight for the McLaren.
A scruffy lap from Leclerc sees Norris get within DRS range. A podium is in sight for the McLaren.
Lap 48/50: Piastri maintains three-second lead
Despite traffic and pressure, Piastri holds steady out front with Verstappen still three seconds behind.
Despite traffic and pressure, Piastri holds steady out front with Verstappen still three seconds behind.
Lap 48/50: Antonelli fending off Hamilton
Hamilton can’t close the gap further. He’s on for another P7 finish, well behind Russell.
Hamilton can’t close the gap further. He’s on for another P7 finish, well behind Russell.
Lap 49/50: Norris edges closer
The gap to Leclerc is now just 1.3s as Norris begins the penultimate lap. DRS might be in reach for the final tour.
The gap to Leclerc is now just 1.3s as Norris begins the penultimate lap. DRS might be in reach for the final tour.
Lap 50/50: Leaders begin final lap
Piastri leads by 2.5s. Leclerc and Norris are locked in a tense scrap for the final podium spot.
Piastri leads by 2.5s. Leclerc and Norris are locked in a tense scrap for the final podium spot.
Lap 50/50: Norris just misses DRS
Norris can’t quite get within a second of Leclerc. The Ferrari looks set to hold onto P3.
Norris can’t quite get within a second of Leclerc. The Ferrari looks set to hold onto P3.
Chequered Flag – Piastri wins the Saudi GP
Oscar Piastri claims his third win of the season and takes the lead in the world championship. Verstappen finishes second, Leclerc holds off Norris for the final podium spot.
Oscar Piastri claims his third win of the season and takes the lead in the world championship. Verstappen finishes second, Leclerc holds off Norris for the final podium spot.
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