McLaren look to seal triple-header dominance at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Piastri and Norris eye championship momentum as Verstappen hopes to bounce back in Jeddah.

Race winner Oscar Piastri of Australia, driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes, crosses the finish line to cheers from his team on the pit wall during the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on April 13, 2025, in Bahrain. Photo by Sam Bagnall/Sutton Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

As Formula One wraps up its first triple-header of the 2025 season, all eyes are on McLaren at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. With two wins in the past three races, the Woking-based team is looking to cap off a dominant run in Jeddah, a circuit that promises high-speed drama and tight overtaking battles. The McLaren Saudi Arabian Grand Prix campaign has so far exceeded expectations, with both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris emerging as serious title contenders.

The 24-race calendar has taken drivers and teams across continents, from the iconic Suzuka in Japan, to the technical curves of Bahrain’s Sakhir circuit, and now to the blistering straights and tight corners of Jeddah’s Corniche. This fifth round of the season is set against the stunning backdrop of the Red Sea and comes at a crucial moment in the title race.

McLaren’s momentum sets the tone

Oscar Piastri was the undisputed star in Bahrain. From pole position, the young Australian drove a flawless race, fending off every challenge to secure his second win of the season. With this result, he moved to within just three points of his teammate Lando Norris at the top of the drivers’ standings. Norris, who claimed third in Bahrain, continues to show consistency and maturity, making McLaren’s internal duel one of the season’s most compelling storylines.

The team’s third win in four races solidified their place at the top of the constructors’ championship. For a team that has seen years of struggle and rebuilding, the McLaren Saudi Arabian Grand Prix campaign reflects a long-awaited return to form. The "papaya rules" — McLaren’s code of driver equality — may soon be tested if this intra-team rivalry intensifies, but so far, it’s producing fireworks in the best way possible.

Speaking ahead of the Saudi Arabian GP, Norris shared his excitement: "It’s a really fast track and we have a quick car, so we’ll be aiming to finish this triple-header strongly."

Red Bull aim to regroup

On the other side of the title battle, Red Bull is hoping to hit reset in Jeddah after a sobering weekend in Bahrain. Max Verstappen, who finished sixth in Sakhir, had a rare off-weekend marked by performance issues and setup woes. The reigning world champion now finds himself third in the standings, eight points adrift of Norris.

The Jeddah street circuit could offer a path to redemption. Verstappen has a strong history here, winning in both 2022 and 2024. "Bahrain was quite a difficult weekend for us and didn’t really go our way," he admitted. "We had some issues that set us back and we still have a lot of work to do on the car to get us where we need to be."

The Dutch driver remains hopeful: "We have a final push with this being the third race and final weekend of the triple header, so hopefully we can find more pace and bring out a performance similar to Japan."

If Red Bull is to regain lost ground, they’ll need a clean weekend — something that’s eluded them so far this season.

Jeddah: the circuit of extremes

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is unlike any other race on the calendar. It’s the fastest street circuit in Formula One, featuring 27 corners and three DRS zones, making it a unique test of both machine and driver.

Its combination of high-speed sections and unforgiving concrete walls leaves no room for error. Unlike the slow and technical layout of Monaco, Jeddah provides multiple overtaking opportunities — a spectacle fans eagerly anticipate under the desert night sky.

Track position and tire strategy will be crucial, and qualifying performance could heavily influence Sunday’s outcome. Last year, Jeddah delivered chaos and unpredictability. There's every reason to believe this weekend will be no different.

Alpine’s Gasly breaks through

While McLaren dominates headlines and Red Bull searches for answers, Alpine has quietly celebrated a small but significant milestone. Pierre Gasly claimed the team’s first points of the season in Bahrain with a hard-fought seventh-place finish.

"It’s great to leave Bahrain with points on the board after three challenging races at the start of the season," said Gasly. For a team that has struggled to find consistent pace, the result is a welcome morale boost.

The French driver also enjoyed a bit of downtime after his race, staying up to watch Rory McIlroy’s emotional victory at the Masters. "I really enjoyed staying up late to watch the end of the Masters and I’m delighted for Rory McIlroy, one of our investors, to finally secure the green jacket. Congratulations to him!"

Gasly heads into Jeddah with renewed confidence, and Alpine will hope that momentum carries forward.

Mercedes and Russell shine under pressure

Mercedes had a mixed weekend in Bahrain, but for George Russell, it marked a career highlight. Despite battling several issues in the cockpit during the final stages of the race, the British driver managed to finish second — his best result this season.

"It was a superb drive from him under extreme pressure," praised Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. Russell’s composure under stress is a reminder of his growing stature within the team and the sport.

Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli, the youngest driver on the grid and Russell’s teammate, failed to score points for the first time in his F1 debut season. Still, Wolff urged patience: "It has been easy to forget that Kimi is in the very earliest stages of his F1 career given his performances so far. Bahrain will prove an important milestone in his continued development."

Mercedes’ overall performance continues to improve, and Jeddah could offer another chance for Russell to stake his claim as a consistent front-runner.

What’s at stake in Jeddah?

As the McLaren Saudi Arabian Grand Prix unfolds, the key question is whether McLaren can keep their momentum intact and finish this triple-header on top. If either Piastri or Norris wins on Sunday, it could mark a major shift in the championship narrative and increase pressure on Red Bull and Verstappen.

For fans, the high-speed corners of Jeddah, the glowing floodlights, and the intensifying driver rivalries provide the perfect recipe for a thrilling spectacle.

Whether it’s redemption for Verstappen, continued dominance for McLaren, or surprise performances from midfield teams, the Saudi Arabian GP is poised to be one of the highlights of the 2025 Formula One season.

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