Lando Norris sets the pace as Formula 1 action heats up in Jeddah
JEDDAH — Formula 1 roared into life at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Friday as McLaren's Lando Norris topped the timesheets during the opening day of the FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2025.
Under the lights at the world's fastest street circuit, Norris clocked a blistering 1:28.340 lap on soft tyres during FP2, edging teammate Oscar Piastri by just 0.163s in a commanding McLaren one-two.
The day wasn't without incident. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll spun harmlessly at Turn 1, but Yuki Tsunoda's session ended in the barriers after clipping the inside wall at the final corner, prompting a red flag with less than ten minutes remaining.
Earlier, Alpine's Pierre Gasly set the pace in FP1, narrowly leading Norris by 0.007s, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc splitting the McLaren pair in third. The tight margins and wall-tapping moments across both sessions showcased the unforgiving nature of Jeddah's high-speed layout.
In Formula 2, Jak Crawford claimed a dramatic pole position, describing his last-lap flyer as 'the greatest lap I've ever driven.' A red flag caused by John Bennett's spin added tension to a thrilling session.
The F1 ACADEMY also made headlines, with Red Bull Ford's Chloe Chambers securing her maiden pole position in a standout performance. Doriane Pin and Maya Weug followed in second and third respectively, while local wildcard Farah AlYousef, the 2022 Saudi Women's Karting Champion, finished 17th in her series debut.
Off-track, fans enjoyed an electric atmosphere with appearances from F1 drivers, entertainment at the buzzing Fan Zone, and a high-octane concert by TUL8TE.
Saturday promises even more, with Final Practice, F1 Qualifying, the first F1 ACADEMY race, Formula 2 Sprint, and the Porsche Sprint Cup Challenge Middle East all on track. The evening will culminate with a headline concert by Jennifer Lopez, adding another layer of excitement to a packed weekend of sport and entertainment in Jeddah. — SG
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