JUst In: Piastri Poised to Overtake Norris in Jeddah Title Fight as…read more

JUst In: Piastri Poised to Overtake Norris in Jeddah as…read more

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri could become the first Australian in 15 years to lead the Formula One championship if he clinches his third win of the 2025 season in Saudi Arabia this Sunday.

The 24-year-old is the only driver with multiple victories this year and is one of four contenders who could top the standings after a grueling stretch of three back-to-back race weekends. With wins in Bahrain and Shanghai under his belt, Piastri has both momentum and machinery on his side as he aims to add Jeddah’s fast, illuminated street circuit to his list of triumphs.

Trailing teammate Lando Norris by just three points, Piastri claimed victory in Bahrain last week from pole and with the fastest lap. He also outperformed Norris in Jeddah last year, finishing fourth while Norris came in eighth. A strong result would see Piastri follow in the footsteps of his manager, Mark Webber, who last led the standings with Red Bull in 2010.

“Jeddah’s a circuit I enjoy and have fond memories of. I’m ready to hit the ground running,” said Piastri.

Norris, despite four podiums from four races, was self-critical after Bahrain and is determined to bounce back in Jeddah’s fifth Grand Prix. “Congrats to Oscar and the team. I’ll aim to step it up next weekend,” he said.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who trails Norris by eight points, is another serious threat. Though he struggled in Bahrain, the Dutchman has a solid track record in Jeddah, having won there in both 2022 and 2024.

“This track tends to be easier on tyres, so it should suit us better,” Verstappen noted. “It’s the last push of this triple header, so we’re aiming to bounce back with a strong performance.”

Mercedes’ George Russell is also mathematically in the title fight, sitting 14 points behind Norris. Still searching for his first win of 2025, he’s shown promising form. “Jeddah brings a unique challenge,” said team principal Toto Wolff. “Predicting results is tricky, but we’ll be aiming for the podium again.”

Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, currently fifth and 45 points off the lead, set the fastest lap in Jeddah last year.

The weekend also marks a milestone for Haas rookie Oliver Bearman, who made an impressive F1 debut at this track last year while subbing in for Ferrari.