The Jeddah Jungle and a Chaotic Friday Forecast

Welcome back to Lights Out, and welcome to Jeddah, the fastest street circuit on the Formula 1 calendar—part Monaco, part Monza, part mayhem.

The Corniche Circuit is a unique beast: 27 corners, most of them taken at terrifying speeds, with walls that beg you to dance but punish you if you miss a step. There’s no room for error here. That’s why it’s a driver’s track. It’s also why qualifying is so crucial—you never know when a red flag will cut your lap short, and in Jeddah, the chances of a red flag are as high as a Max Verstappen radio rant.

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McLaren Might, But Not Without a Fight

In a circuit where high-speed corners matter, the McLarens are, predictably, on top of the pecking order. Their 2025 challenger is one of the most balanced cars on the grid—phenomenal rotation mid-corner, minimal drag in long sweepers, and a stability under braking that rivals the old RB19.

But Jeddah isn’t just about the twisty bits. You need straight-line speed, too. And that’s where Mercedes comes into play. The W16 may not be as explosive over a single lap, but it’s consistently stable, and that could give them a real edge over McLaren—especially if Lando Norris continues to struggle under pressure.

Lando has been mistake-prone in the opening races of 2025, and on a track like Jeddah where one brush with the wall can cost you everything, the mental game matters. Add to that McLaren’s slight straight-line deficiency, and Mercedes could be well within striking distance of the mclaren’s.

Charles vs. Lewis: A Battle With Time, Not Each Other

Leclerc was faster than Hamilton on Friday, but both drivers made it clear why. Charles has the continuity of being Ferrari’s golden boy, while Lewis is essentially starting over—new car, new team, new culture.

And that culture point matters more than people think. Lewis spent 17 years within British teams, from McLaren to Mercedes. Now he’s in Maranello, immersed in a language and working style that’s vastly different. It’s not just a shift in colors—it’s a shift in rhythm.

Lewis revealed he’s still learning Ferrari’s reliance on engine braking, something Mercedes didn’t emphasize. He’s also adapting to Brembo brakes, after years with the Carbon Industries system. That’s a fundamental change in driving feel, and it shows in his on-track hesitations. But the good news? He’s not under pressure to win this year. And that’s a blessing. Because if Ferrari is playing the long game—and it feels like they are—then 2025 is about adapting. 2026 is about attack.

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The Tsunoda Crash – What Even Happened There?

Yuki’s crash in FP2 looked straight out of a simulation glitch. One moment he was cruising, the next, his front-left snapped like it was made of sugar glass. Straight into the wall. And for Red Bull (or should we say the Red Bull organization), it’s just the latest disaster in a long line of them.

Add this to Max Verstappen’s cryptic “I’m just focusing on driving” quotes—conveniently leaving out which team he’ll be driving for—and you start to feel like the foundation is starting to crack at Milton Keynes.

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Jeddah: Redemption or Ruin?

Let’s talk possibilities:

• Max Verstappen could bounce back—this track rewards bravery, and we all remember that unfinished lap in 2021.

• Oscar Piastri, if he wins again, could take the championship lead. Two wins in three races? He’d join elite company.

• Kimi Antonelli, after his Bahrain heartbreak, could end up on the podium if chaos reigns. And in Jeddah, chaos always knocks.

• Lando Norris, still adapting to a car that doesn’t sing for him like the 2024 chassis did, needs to find his rhythm. And McLaren needs to let both their drivers fight—not just back the one with the clean weekend.

Lando’s been vocal about having to “drive differently” this year, and fans are frustrated. But let’s not forget—he was electric in 2024. Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Zandvoort—he made that car dance. This one? Not yet. But he’ll get there.

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Prediction Time

I’m calling it now: at least four red flags before this weekend is done. And we might just get our first race of 2025 that isn’t won from pole. It’s time for this season to spark. And if it’s going to happen anywhere, it’s Jeddah.

Bring on the chaos. Bring on the lights.

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