F1 2025 Saudi Grand Prix starting grid with penalties applied following…read more
F1 2025 Saudi Grand Prix starting grid with penalties applied following…read more
Formula 1 returns to the streets of Jeddah for the fifth round of the 2025 season, with the starting grid now confirmed following an action-packed qualifying session at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Max Verstappen will lead the pack from pole position after a dramatic Q3 session, marked by a costly crash from McLaren’s Lando Norris.
McLaren had dominated the early sessions of the weekend, but it was Red Bull’s Verstappen who ultimately seized the opportunity in qualifying. The Dutch driver clocked in a blistering 1:27.294 at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, earning his 42nd career pole and edging out McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by just 0.010 seconds. Verstappen’s experience and timely strategy came into play after Norris triggered a red flag early in Q3 by crashing before he could log a competitive lap.
The incident gave Verstappen a golden chance. With two fresh sets of soft tyres available after the red flag, he returned to the track and nailed a lap that nobody could match. Piastri, limited to one set of softs for his final run, couldn’t find the extra tenth he needed to take the top spot. Despite the setback, the young Australian will line up beside Verstappen on the front row, looking to challenge for the lead into the tight and technical Turn 1.
Mercedes’ George Russell secured third place with a strong performance, just over a tenth behind Piastri. He’ll be joined on the second row by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who continues to show consistency in 2025. Rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli impressed once again, qualifying fifth in the other Mercedes, ahead of a strong showing from Carlos Sainz in sixth for Williams.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will start seventh for Ferrari, followed closely by Yuki Tsunoda in eighth, giving Red Bull both cars inside the top ten. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly rounds out the third row in ninth.
Lando Norris, who failed to post a lap time due to his Q3 crash, will start a disappointing tenth. The McLaren driver had been leading the championship heading into the weekend, but now faces an uphill battle on race day to climb back into contention.
The midfield saw plenty of close fights in Q2, with Williams’ Alex Albon, Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson, and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso narrowly missing out on the top ten. They will start 11th, 12th, and 13th respectively. Isack Hadjar and Haas’s Ollie Bearman also dropped out in Q2, starting 14th and 15th.
In Q1, several notable drivers struggled. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, Alpine’s Jack Doohan, and Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg all failed to progress, while Haas’s Esteban Ocon and Gabriel Bortoleto—Sauber’s second driver—round out the back of the grid.
Full Starting Grid – Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025 (With Penalties Applied)
- Max Verstappen – Red Bull
- Oscar Piastri – McLaren
- George Russell – Mercedes
- Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
- Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
- Carlos Sainz – Williams
- Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari
- Yuki Tsunoda – Red Bull
- Pierre Gasly – Alpine
- Lando Norris – McLaren
- Alex Albon – Williams
- Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls
- Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin
- Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls
- Ollie Bearman – Haas
- Lance Stroll – Aston Martin
- Jack Doohan – Alpine
- Nico Hulkenberg – Sauber
- Esteban Ocon – Haas
- Gabriel Bortoleto – Sauber
Race Timing Around the World
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix takes place today, Sunday, April 20, 2025, with a scheduled start time of 8:00 PM local time in Jeddah (AST). Here’s when the lights go out across different regions:
- UK (BST): 6:00 PM
- Central Europe (CEST): 7:00 PM
- USA (EDT): 1:00 PM
- USA (CDT): 12:00 PM
- USA (PDT): 10:00 AM
- Australia (AEST): 3:00 AM (Monday)
- Mexico (CDT): 11:00 AM
- Japan (JST): 2:00 AM (Monday)
- South Africa (SAST): 7:00 PM
- Egypt (EET): 7:00 PM
- India (IST): 10:30 PM
- Brazil (BRT): 2:00 PM
- Singapore (SST): 1:00 AM (Monday)
- Türkiye (EEST): 8:00 PM
Where to Watch the Race Live
Fans can catch the live action across various networks depending on location:
- UK: Sky Sports
- USA: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
- Australia: Fox Sports, Kayo
- Japan: Fuji TV, DAZN
- Italy: Sky Italia
- Netherlands: Viaplay
- France: Canal+
- Germany: Sky Deutschland
- Spain: DAZN
- Canada: TSN, RDS
- Mexico: Fox Sports
- Brazil: Bandeirantes
- Middle East & Turkey: beIN SPORTS
- Africa: SuperSport
With a mixed-up grid and a tight street circuit, today’s race promises drama from start to finish. Norris will be looking for redemption, while Verstappen and Piastri prepare to go head-to-head under the lights in Jeddah
