Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: The weekend’s challenges

Aston Martin’s resurgence for its hundredth race?

This Saudi Arabian Grand Prix marks a symbolic milestone for Aston Martin: its 100th participation in Formula 1 since its return in 2021. A golden opportunity to shine again after a lukewarm start to the season.

Fernando Alonso remains a major asset, capable of brilliant performances on this fast Jeddah track.

As for Lance Stroll, he will have to prove that he deserves his place in a team that is struggling to regain the momentum of 2023.

The stakes are clear: make a mark this weekend to avoid sinking into a complicated season.

Should we permanently bury Red Bull?

The Red Bull domination seems to have crumbled, and for the first time since 2022, the Austrian team appears genuinely shaken. Recent results are no longer as sharp, and even though Max Verstappen remains ultra-competitive, the machine seems to be grinding to a halt.

Contestable strategy, second driver in the background: weak signals are accumulating. This weekend in Jeddah, on a fast and demanding track, the race could serve as a barometer to judge whether Red Bull simply went through a turbulence zone in Bahrain… or if it’s beginning a real decline.

Oscar Piastri, a real and solid leader at McLaren?

The rising Australian star continues to affirm the hopes placed in him. Oscar Piastri is no longer just “the promising rookie.” After his commanding victory in Bahrain, he now dreams of becoming a natural leader at McLaren.

With solid performances and a composure reminiscent of the best, he pushes Lando Norris to raise his level.

In Jeddah, Piastri will have to prove that he can also handle the pressure of a weekend where McLaren has a lot at stake: solidifying its position as leader in the constructors’ championship and continuing to make other teams chasing them doubt.

Mercedes needs to assert itself more to counter McLaren.

If Mercedes wants to become a benchmark again, it will take more than a few podiums or a clever strategy. The race pace is still inconsistent, and neither Russell nor Antonelli are able to fully capitalize on the potential of the W16.

Jeddah could be the scene of a revival or an admission of powerlessness. Because if McLaren continues on its current path, the gap could quickly become unbridgeable. The pressure is on: Mercedes must raise its game to avoid being outpaced by a “customer” team.

Conclusion

This Saudi Arabian Grand Prix won’t just be another race in the season: it is already shaping up to be a turning point. It marks the end of the first “triple header,” and soon the return to Europe (after a stop in Miami).

Between symbolic celebration for Aston Martin, rising tensions at Red Bull, a battle for dominance at McLaren, and a need for improvement at Mercedes, all the ingredients are in place for a race with multiple challenges. More than ever, the 2025 championship could tighten, and the battle intensify.