Under the Lights of Saudi Arabia lies Piastri’s Kingdom

The 2025 Saudi Arabian GP wasn’t just Oscar Piastri’s third win of the season—it was a statement. A statement that McLaren doesn’t have a number two driver. A statement that Mark Webber’s protégé is out-Verstappening Verstappen. And a reminder that, had it not been for his Melbourne slip-up, Piastri would comfortably be leading the World Championship.

Let’s get into it.

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Oscar Piastri: Three Wins, Zero Fear

Oscar Piastri is now a three-time winner this season—China, Bahrain, and Jeddah—and the only driver to win multiple races in 2025. After a perfect launch from the front row, his ballsy Lap 1 move into Turn 1 set the tone: this was his race to lose, and he knew it.

The defining moment came immediately—Verstappen lunged, but Piastri held firm, stayed on track, and claimed apex ownership. Verstappen’s car, all four wheels off track, never looked like it was making the corner. The stewards handed him a 5-second penalty—lighter than the usual 10s due to it being a Lap 1 incident, but justified. The apex was Piastri’s. That’s the rule.

Tactically, Red Bull could’ve handed the place back and reclaimed it later using DRS or on the restart. But they didn’t. And honestly? That may have been the smarter move. At Jeddah, the time loss from a 5-second penalty is sometimes less than a full-position swap. It was classic Red Bull: tactical risk, calculated gain.

But none of that phased Piastri. His outside overtake on Lewis Hamilton later in the race might have been the moment of the Grand Prix—daring, clean, and brilliantly executed. He now sits on 99 points, just 10 behind teammate Lando Norris. And it’s safe to say: he’s not here to play second fiddle.

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Lando Norris: Speed, But Still Not Sharp Enough

Let’s be clear—P4 from P10 is not a bad result. Norris overtook Russell, stayed out of trouble, and nearly caught Leclerc. But this race felt like one that got away.

His DRS battle with Hamilton was the main issue. In Jeddah, where two DRS zones flow into each other, the smart move is to overtake late, so your rival doesn’t get a return shot with DRS. Norris didn’t do that. He overtook Hamilton too early—twice—and gave Lewis the advantage each time. His engineer had to explain it to him on radio, and that’s where the concern lies.

He and Piastri are now tied at 5 wins each, and while Norris has more podiums overall, Piastri’s trajectory feels sharper. If Lando wants to be McLaren’s title man, he can’t afford to be this strategically sloppy.

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Charles Leclerc: Driver of the Day. Deservedly.

No podiums in four races. That’s how Leclerc came into Saudi Arabia. But he left with Ferrari’s first top-three finish of the season, earned through consistency, tire management, and raw pace.

The SF-25 wasn’t a qualifying car this weekend. But in race trim? Leclerc made it work. 27 laps on the medium compound, holding off faster cars while still pulling purple sectors. Could Ferrari have extended his stint longer? Possibly. But this was still a conservative, clever race, and Charles executed it flawlessly.

Leclerc isn’t going anywhere—and if Ferrari can find a touch more performance, he’ll be back in the win conversation soon.

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Lewis Hamilton: Under Pressure, and It Shows

P7 to P7. On paper, nothing major. But behind the visor, this was not the Lewis Hamilton we know.

The radio chatter, the post-race interviews—it was all filled with doubt. He spoke openly about not trusting the rear end, struggling to adapt to Ferrari’s engine braking setup, and lacking confidence in the Brembo braking system. At times, he even admitted he doesn’t feel like he’s driving well enough to justify his seat.

It’s a tough watch. This is the sport’s most decorated driver, and yet he looks and sounds more dejected than ever—a repeat of his late-Mercedes era. And while he’s shown flashes (hello, China sprint), this five-race stretch has been humbling.

But Lewis Hamilton doesn’t go quietly. He will fight back. It’s just a question of how soon.

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Mercedes: Balanced Car, Unbalanced Weekend

Mercedes came into Jeddah optimistic. The car looked balanced in Friday practice. George Russell pulled out a miracle Q3 lap. But in the race? It fell apart.

Their biggest problem? Tire degradation. Russell opened up a 14-second gap after being overtaken—but that advantage evaporated as his tires hit the cliff. It wasn’t just him either—the W16 wasn’t operating in the right window, and they were the only top team not to bring upgrades this weekend.

Despite this, Russell finished P5. Impressive, but not representative. If Mercedes want to be serious title contenders, they need better tire management and a faster response to evolving track conditions. Especially on circuits like Jeddah, where grip and temperature shift constantly.

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Williams: A Glimpse of Glory

Double points. Something that would’ve felt impossible for Williams just last year, but in Jeddah, they made it happen.

Carlos Sainz was outstanding—controlled, strategic, and clinical. He said pre-race that he’d “pick his battles,” and he did exactly that. Williams had predicted a P8, and Sainz delivered it. Alex Albon backed it up with strong pace and a few classic fiery radio moments.

For a midfield team that’s been craving a breakthrough, this was a morale-boosting weekend.

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Isack Hadjar: The Bounceback Kid

After a rough outing in Australia, Isack Hadjar hasn’t looked back. He delivered.

P14 to P10, fighting through traffic, keeping it clean, and enjoying every minute of it. His rising likeability is becoming a story in itself—and if he keeps stringing together results like this, the paddock will take serious notice. A good weekend for the rookie.

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Red Bull’s Second Car and the Setup Sensitivity Struggle

Yuki Tsunoda finally had a decent qualifying in the second Red Bull—but the race ended almost immediately. A Lap 1 collision with Pierre Gasly’s Alpine ended both their races.

But the incident also highlighted a bigger issue: Red Bull’s growing setup sensitivity. The RB21 has become incredibly reliant on getting into its ideal performance window. Outside of that, the car suffers—particularly on tire wear and balance. Verstappen can wrestle it into shape. Tsunoda can’t. And when setup issues compound, so do the consequences.

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The Rest of the Grid

• Gabriel Bortoletto had a weird moment where he made contact with Fernando Alonso—his own management boss. Alonso swerved to avoid him, Bortoletto couldn’t see him in the mirrors, and it was more comic relief than chaos.

• The Haases looked okay, nothing special. They’re still very track-specific.

• The Saubers were anonymous again—somewhere between P18 and “oh right, they’re here.”

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Closing Thoughts: A Changing of the Guard?

It’s early in the season, but Jeddah felt like a power shift moment. Piastri isn’t just winning races—he’s driving like a World Champion in the making. Norris is fast but flawed. Verstappen is still elite, but Red Bull’s armor is cracking. Mercedes is consistent but toothless. And Ferrari? They’ve got Leclerc.

It’s anyone’s game now.

Next stop: Miami. Street race. Party weekend. And for some teams—redemption or reckoning.