Formula 1 Returns to Saudi Arabia with High Stakes at Jeddah Grand Prix

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Formula 1 arrives in Saudi Arabia for the fifth race of the 2025 season, set to take place from April 18-20 at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. After a thrilling victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri aims to close the gap on his McLaren teammate Lando Norris, currently leading the championship by just three points.

The race weekend kicks off on Friday, with the first session beginning at 18:00 BST on April 20. Following the excitement in Bahrain, where Norris finished third, Piastri’s performance has reignited an intense title chase, with Max Verstappen positioned close behind with just eight points separating them.

Piastri’s win in Bahrain marked his ascent to title contention, while George Russell‘s strong finish has kept him only 14 points adrift of Norris. As the standings currently reflect, McLaren holds a commanding 48-point lead over Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship, making them the team to beat this weekend.

The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, known for its high-speed layout dominated by walls, proves to be one of the most challenging tracks on the calendar. The combination of speed and risk has resulted in a reluctance among drivers to push to their limits; however, the rewards for those who do could be substantial. “The closer you get to the wall, the faster you go, but the risk of crashing increases significantly,” said Piastri.

In contrast, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are eager to turn around their season after disappointing runs in Bahrain. Both drivers target their first podiums of the year and hope to capitalize on any missteps from the leading teams.

The weather forecast indicates a hot race weekend, with temperatures reaching around 30°C during the race on April 20, which starts at 8:00 PM local time. Conditions are projected to be dry throughout the weekend, posing no risk for rain and just a gentle breeze expected during Saturday’s qualifying.

Fans can follow the weekend’s events live through BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website and app. The entire race weekend includes various formats such as third practice on Saturday at 14:30 BST and the qualifying session to follow at 18:00 BST. Sky Sports F1 will also broadcast coverage starting at 16:30 BST on the same day.

As the teams prepare for the race, Red Bull is keen to bounce back after a mixed performance in Bahrain, where they secured only sixth place. Verstappen claimed victory in last year’s Jeddah Grand Prix, and Red Bull could greatly benefit from replicating that success to regain momentum in the championship.

“We need a strong performance in Jeddah; it’s crucial we score significant points,” a Red Bull representative stated ahead of the race. Drivers and teams are adjusting their strategies, hoping to adapt quickly to the unique demands of the Jeddah circuit.

As the competition heats up on these high-speed streets, the excitement builds for what promises to be a thrilling Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.