Max Verstappen And McLaren Set For Explosive Saudi Arabian GP
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.
Saudi Arabia Eyes Formula 1 Team Ownership
As the engines roar into Jeddah for the fifth round of the 2025 Formula 1 season, a powerful statement from Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal has set the paddock abuzz – Saudi Arabia could soon become the next nation to own a Formula 1 team.
The chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation believes the Kingdom is closer than ever to making a move from race host and sponsor to full team ownership. 'It could happen,' Prince Khalid said. 'It could happen soon.'
Saudi Arabia has rapidly deepened its footprint in the sport since debuting on the F1 calendar in 2021. With state-owned oil giant Aramco, a global F1 partner and title sponsor of Aston Martin, and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) previously buying into McLaren, the next logical step seems clear.
'People will buy a Formula 1 team to make money – especially if it's through a PIF company,' he said, adding that the surging global popularity of F1 makes such a move increasingly attractive.While the current grid will grow to 11 teams in 2026 with the arrival of Cadillac, there is technically space for one more, and Prince Khalid insists Saudi Arabia is ready – either by founding a new outfit or taking over an existing one.
But it's not a decision to be taken lightly. 'It's not easy to say which team to buy and how to manage it,' he cautioned. 'But if Saudi Arabia or a Saudi company enters F1, I'd like to see it done the right way – and be successful.'
Prince Khalid also floated the idea of hosting two Saudi Grands Prix – one in Jeddah and another at the upcoming Qiddiya circuit in Riyadh – and expressed hopes that Saudi Arabia might even open future F1 seasons as the first race on the calendar.
With its ambitions on the rise and money no object, Saudi Arabia's push into Formula 1 could soon shift from speculation to full throttle reality.
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