This week in Jeddah: The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Following a dramatic Bahrain Grand Prix where McLaren’s Oscar Piastri snatched victory and Lando Norris held off Max Verstappen’s late charge, the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, set for April 20 at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, promises another fierce battle. The 50-lap night race on the 6.174-kilometer street track, with its high-speed straights and 27 corners, challenges drivers after Bahrain exposed Red Bull’s setup struggles, as Verstappen noted Minor tweaks away at his post-race press conference. McLaren’s momentum, with Piastri and Norris leading the championship, contrasts with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who’s looking to rebound from a costly Bahrain mistake, and Mercedes’ George Russell, aiming to capitalize on their improved pace. Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez, last year’s Jeddah winner, hopes to regain form, while the tight midfield—Alpine, Haas, and RB—could shake things up if they master the track’s demands. Jeddah’s unforgiving walls and high average speed of 252 km/h will test precision, with all eyes on whether McLaren can maintain their edge or if Red Bull claws back ground

give me another paragraph to follow this one The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix’s Jeddah Corniche Circuit, illuminated under floodlights, not only delivers heart-pounding racing but also amplifies the stakes in the 2025 championship as teams adapt lessons from Bahrain’s season opener. With McLaren’s confidence soaring after their 1-2 finish, their ability to optimize tire strategy on Jeddah’s low-wear asphalt could be key, especially after Norris’s masterful tire management in Bahrain. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s hinted-at Red Bull upgrades, teased in X posts from team insiders, might close the gap, though the track’s narrow margins leave little room for error—evident in past incidents like the 2021 Hamilton-Verstappen clash. Ferrari and Mercedes, both showing flashes of pace in Bahrain, will look to exploit any chaos, while the unpredictable midfield battle, led by Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, could see points snatched in the tight corners. Off-track, Jeddah’s glitzy atmosphere and packed fan zones contrast with ongoing debates about safety and the sport’s regional presence, making this race a pivotal moment both for the championship and Formula 1’s global narrative.