Oscar Piastri has become the first Australian since Mark Webber in 2010 to lead the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship after a commanding performance at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Final Standings for Saudi Arabian GP
| Pos | No | Driver | Car | Laps | Time/retired | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren Mercedes | 50 | 1:21:06.758 | 25 |
| 2 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 50 | +2.843s | 18 |
| 3 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 50 | +8.104s | 15 |
| 4 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren Mercedes | 50 | +9.196s | 12 |
| 5 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 50 | +27.236s | 10 |
| 6 | 12 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 50 | +34.688s | 8 |
| 7 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 50 | +39.073s | 6 |
| 8 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | Williams Mercedes | 50 | +64.630s | 4 |
| 9 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams Mercedes | 50 | +66.515s | 2 |
| 10 | 6 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 50 | +67.091s | 1 |
| 11 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 50 | +75.917s | 0 |
| 12 | 30 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 50 | +78.451s | 0 |
| 13 | 87 | Oliver Bearman | Haas Ferrari | 50 | +79.194s | 0 |
| 14 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Haas Ferrari | 50 | +99.723s | 0 |
| 15 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 49 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 16 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 49 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 17 | 7 | Jack Doohan | Alpine Renault | 49 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 18 | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 49 | +1 lap | 0 |
| NC | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 1 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine Renault | 0 | DNF | 0 |
First-Lap Drama Sets the Stage
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix delivered chaos from the very first corner, with Piastri making a brilliant start from second on the grid to challenge pole-sitter Max Verstappen. The McLaren driver got a significantly better launch and claimed the inside line into Turn 1.
What followed would ultimately decide the race. Verstappen, caught napping at the start and recorded as the second slowest car off the line, found himself under immediate pressure. As Piastri took the inside line and was ahead at the apex, Verstappen appeared to miss his braking point. The Dutchman ran wide, rejoined the track ahead of Piastri, and after several laps of deliberation, the stewards issued a five-second penalty to the reigning champion for gaining an unfair advantage.
The opening lap chaos didn’t end there. Further back, Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda came together, triggering a safety car and ending promising races for both drivers. Tsunoda, who had qualified an impressive 8th in his still-new role as Red Bull’s second driver, saw his race over before it truly began.
McLaren Dominance Continues
Once Verstappen served his penalty during his pit stop, Piastri inherited the lead and controlled the race masterfully from the front, securing his third win of the season.
His teammate Lando Norris staged a remarkable recovery drive after a shocking Q3 crash had left him starting from tenth position. Opting for an alternate strategy with hard tires while most competitors started on mediums, Norris made steady progress through the field to finish fourth.
Despite Norris’s impressive comeback, his qualifying inconsistency continues to be a concern. This marked the third time in six races that he has struggled in qualifying, a trend he’ll need to address to mount a serious title challenge.
Historic Achievement for McLaren
The victory marked a significant milestone for McLaren, becoming the first constructor to win at 50 different circuits in Formula 1 history. More importantly, it solidified their position at the top of the Constructors’ Championship, now sitting a commanding 77 points ahead of Mercedes in second place.
For Piastri, who is managed by former F1 driver and fellow Australian Mark Webber, the win propels him to the top of the Drivers’ Championship. He now leads teammate Norris by 10 points, with Verstappen a further two points behind.
“It’s very early days,” cautioned Piastri in his post-race BBC interview, clearly aware that with 20 races remaining, the championship battle is far from over.
Williams Continue Strong Form
Further back, both Williams drivers scored points in an impressive showing that has elevated the team to fifth in the Constructors’ Championship. Carlos Sainz, finding better form after a difficult start to his Williams career, displayed excellent teamwork to help Alex Albon defend against Racing Bulls’ rookie Isaac Hadjar.
Rookie Watch
The strong rookie class of 2025 continues to impress, with Isaac Hadjar once again scoring points, continuing his promising start despite the early setback in Melbourne. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli also delivered another solid performance, further establishing himself alongside Hadjar and Haas’s Oliver Bearman as the standout rookies of the season.
In contrast, Liam Lawson’s difficult start to the season continues. The Racing Bulls driver remains pointless and is being consistently outperformed by rookie teammate Hadjar, raising questions about his future in the sport.
Looking Ahead to Miami
As Formula 1 heads to Miami for the next round in two weeks’ time, all eyes will be on whether Piastri can maintain his championship lead. The Miami circuit holds special significance for Norris, who secured his first F1 victory there last season.
With McLaren now established as the team to beat, Red Bull struggling with pace issues, and Mercedes showing stronger form than expected, the 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years.
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