F1 NEWS: Max Verstappen’s PENALTY hands title to rival at Saudi GP and C…read more
Verstappen’s PENALTY hands title to rival at Saudi GP and Championship lead
Oscar Piastri claimed his third victory of the 2025 Formula 1 season at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after Max Verstappen was penalized, allowing the McLaren driver to take control of the race and move into the lead of the championship standings for the first time.
Verstappen initially led from the start but received a time penalty for leaving the track at Turn 1 to stay ahead of Piastri, who had made a rapid launch. The penalty came into play during the pit stops, enabling Piastri to emerge in front and maintain the advantage to the finish.
The result marks a significant milestone for the Australian, who now leads teammate Lando Norris in the drivers’ championship after another impressive performance from McLaren.
Charles Leclerc rounded out the podium in third, delivering Ferrari’s first top-three finish of the season after holding off a charging Norris. Despite starting 10th due to a qualifying crash, Norris fought through the field to take fourth.
Mercedes enjoyed a consistent afternoon, with George Russell finishing fifth and young talent Kimi Antonelli securing sixth. Lewis Hamilton, still struggling to match his teammate’s pace, ended the race in seventh.
Drama unfolded early as Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly collided on the opening lap, triggering a safety car a trend that has continued in every race held at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The incident forced both drivers to retire and shook up strategy plans for several midfield teams.
Saudi Arabian GP 2025 – Final Standings:
| Position | Driver | Team | Gap |
| 1 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | — |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +2.843 |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +8.104 |
| 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +9.196 |
| 5 | George Russell | Mercedes | +27.236 |
| 6 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +34.688 |
| 7 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +39.073 |
| 8 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | +1:04.630 |
| 9 | Alex Albon | Williams | +1:06.515 |
|10 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | +1:07.091 |
|11 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +1:15.917 |
|12 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | +1:18.451* |
|13 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | +1:19.194 |
|14 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | +1:39.723 |
|15 | Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber | +1 lap |
|16 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +1 lap |
|17 | Jack Doohan | Alpine | +1 lap |
|18 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber | +1 lap |
|19 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull | DNF |
|20 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | DNF |
Lawson received a 10-second time penalty.
Championship Impact:
With Verstappen’s penalty and Piastri’s clean drive, the McLaren driver has surged into the championship lead, signaling a serious title challenge. Verstappen, the four-time reigning champion, acknowledged the setback but vowed to fight back in the coming races.
Rule Changes in 2025 – Fastest Lap Bonus Dropped:
The 2025 season has introduced a key regulation change by removing the extra point awarded for the fastest lap. Previously in place since 2019, the rule often influenced end-of-race strategies. One memorable moment from 2024 saw Daniel Ricciardo take the fastest lap in his final F1 race, denying Lando Norris a point that helped Verstappen secure his title.
The grid now turns its attention to the next round, with the title race heating up and Oscar Piastri making a strong case as a serious contender.
