F1 on Jeddah’s streets – talking points ahead of the Saudi Arabian GP

Isack Hadjar of France and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing, and Fernando Alonso of Spain and Aston Martin F1 Team look on throughout the Drivers Press Conference throughout previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on April 17, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

This weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is the remaining leg right here of the first ‘triple header’ of the season.

AFP Sport seems at some talking points ahead of the fifth spherical of the 24-race season:

Advantage McLaren

Oscar Piastri put in a faultless show from pole final Sunday in Sakhir to make it three wins out of 4 for the British marque.

That moved the cool as ice Australian to inside three points of championship chief and teammate Lando Norris, who took third in Bahrain.

With Max Verstappen, solely sixth, and Red Bull struggling to maintain tabs on the world constructors’ champions, the 2025 title might effectively develop right into a battle between the two McLaren males.

The staff has all the time been insistent on ‘papaya rules’, which means no favouritism between the pair, however that even-handed coverage will probably be put below strain if the season develops right into a battle between the two gifted drivers.

Red Bull to bounce again?

Red Bull’s issues in Bahrain had been effectively documented, and it will likely be determined to bounce again on one of its favorite looking grounds, with Verstappen profitable in Jeddah in 2022 and 2024.

The circuit

Sunday’s race presents a radically completely different check for automotive and driver than final week in Bahrain. The quickest road circuit on the calendar affords a number of probabilities for overtaking, in stark distinction to the most well-known road circuit of all of them, Monaco.

With a file 27 corners and three DRS (drag discount system) zones it may be counted on to serve up loads of drama, with the walled sides leaving little room for error.

All the components then for an exciting race below floodlights on Jeddah’s Corniche.