Max Verstappen and McLaren Set for Explosive Saudi Arabian GP
TDT | Manama
Jeddah Awaits
Formula 1's first triple-header of the 2025 season wraps up this weekend at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, where the battle for supremacy intensifies. From April 18-20, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will showcase McLaren's dominance, but Max Verstappen is eyeing a comeback after a frustrating Bahrain Grand Prix.
McLaren on Fire
McLaren has dominated the early stages of the season, with Lando Norris holding a commanding 77-point lead in the drivers' standings. Despite a messy weekend in Bahrain, Norris is feeling confident ahead of the Jeddah race. 'It's a really fast track and we have a quick car,' he said, looking forward to rounding off the triple-header on a high.
Oscar Piastri, who grabbed his second victory of the season in Bahrain, is also brimming with confidence. 'I'm determined to hit the ground running in Saudi,' the Australian said, knowing his momentum will be crucial for the upcoming races.
Red Bull's Redemption
While McLaren is the team to beat, Red Bull's Max Verstappen has vowed to bounce back in Jeddah after a disappointing showing in Bahrain. The four-time world champion finished a rare sixth place in Bahrain and is determined to turn things around. "Jeddah is a good track for us," Verstappen noted, recalling past victories at the Saudi circuit.
Despite his struggles in Bahrain—where pit-stop issues and tyre degradation hampered his pace—Verstappen remains optimistic. "I'm hoping we can find more pace and bring out a performance similar to Japan," he added, referencing his incredible comeback at the Japanese GP last season.
Battle for the Top Step
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is one of F1's most thrilling tracks, with high-speed straights and minimal tyre degradation, making it a perfect hunting ground for McLaren. Mercedes, however, is in the mix, with George Russell netting three podium finishes in the opening races. With Verstappen's Red Bull looking to regain form, the stage is set for an exciting contest at the front.
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella expressed optimism for another successful race, noting that 'the softer tyre allocation could make for an exciting race.' If McLaren's form holds, Norris and Piastri could secure yet another 1-2 finish—but Verstappen is determined to change the script.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
10 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Grand Prix Confirmed for April 10–12, 2026
Bahrain will host the fourth round of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship, following the release of next season's official calendar by Formula 1 and the FIA. The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 is scheduled to take place from April 10 to 12 at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir. The Kingdom retains its position on the calendar for a second consecutive year, with the season set to kick off in Australia (March 6–8), followed by China (March 13–15) and Japan (March 27–29) before arriving in Bahrain. The race will then be followed by the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah (April 17–19). The 2026 season will feature 24 races, with Madrid joining the calendar as a new addition from September 11 to 13, and the season concluding in Abu Dhabi (December 4–6). Following another sold-out event in 2025, Bahrain International Circuit has announced a priority ticket access window for fans looking to secure the best seats for 2026. Interested individuals can now register at to receive early access before the official ticket launch. BIC, known as the 'Home of Motorsport in the Middle East,' continues to be a key venue on the global F1 circuit, drawing fans from across the region and beyond. For further updates and ticket information, visit call the BIC Hotline on , or follow BIC's official social media channels.
Daily Tribune
15 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Final flourish, familiar fight
TDT | Manama As the curtain draws on their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying journey, Bahrain's national team take to the pitch today against China. Having already been mathematically eliminated from contention for North America, Dragan Talajic's side are playing for pride and for a measure of momentum heading into future cycles. Nothing to Play For, Everything to Prove The match at Chongqing Longxing Football Stadium, scheduled for 2:00 PM, carries no qualification weight for either side. Bahrain and China sit level on six points in Group C, with the former holding a superior goal difference. While progression is off the table, the fixture offers both nations a chance to end their campaign with a statement, and perhaps a degree of redemption after a tough qualifying stretch. Bahrain's most recent outing, a 2-0 loss at home to Saudi Arabia, confirmed their exit. Talajic's men showed flashes of potential, but a lack of cutting edge in the final third once again proved decisive. Now, the focus turns to a cleaner performance in Chongqing, where conditions and atmosphere will favour the hosts.
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Australia ready to ‘do a job' in Saudi and qualify for World Cup
AFP | Perth Australia coach Tony Popovic has warned his buoyant team they still 'need to do a job' after propelling themselves to the cusp of a sixth successive World Cup. A last-gasp 1-0 win over already qualified Japan at a soldout Perth Stadium on Thursday put the Socceroos in pole position to finish second in Asian Group C. That would automatically punch their ticket to North America next year. They face Saudi Arabia on Tuesday knowing they only need to avoid defeat by five goals or more in Jeddah. Despite the Saudis only scoring six times in their nine qualifying games so far, Popovic cautioned against complacency. 'We need to do a job in Saudi,' he told reporters. 'We're in a great position but we have to finish it off. 'It's been a really intense period since I've come in but everyone's embraced what we're aiming to do. 'We're very close now to achieving our goal.' Popovic replaced Graham Arnold in the dugout in September and has rejuvenated the side, with victory on Thursday their first over Japan since 2009. When he took over Australia were fifth in the group and fresh from a disastrous 1-0 loss to Bahrain and a 0-0 draw with Indonesia, with automatic qualification looking unlikely. Popovic admitted his emotions ran high when Aziz Behich hit the 90th-minute winner, and said beating Japan was testament to the work everyone had put in. 'It was a wonderful goal,' he said. 'Although football-wise we need to get better, and we will, in that 90th minute we had six players in the box trying to score a goal. 'The players were moving forward yet they were fatigued and it was a good reward for the group. 'We were tough, kept a clean sheet and have done something (beating Japan) that many Australian sides have tried to do,' he added. 'They (Japan) were on a wonderful run, there's a reason for that, they are the best (in Asia) and we want to challenge them to be the best.'
