Saudi Arabia Grand Prix: the Editor’s Tops and Flops

The Tops

Oscar Piastri new champion?

Deprived of pole by just ten-thousandths, Oscar Piastri once again displayed his solidity in the race. More incisive than Max Verstappen at the start, the Australian saw the Dutchman retain the lead by cutting the first corner, a maneuver that would earn him a five-second penalty.

Tucked behind the four-time world champion during the first stint, the McLaren driver perfectly anticipated his pit stop on the 19th lap to gain an advantage in the pits. Leading from the 34th lap, he then managed his lead with impressive control. With already three wins in five Grand Prix, he takes the lead in the championship with 99 points. A start to the season that speaks volumes.

Leclerc unlocks the counter for Ferrari

Five races to finally climb onto the podium. A lackluster start to the season for Ferrari, whose ambitions were much higher. But in Jeddah, Charles Leclerc managed to set the record straight. With a solid race, the Monegasque driver gambled on a very long first stint on medium tires (29 laps), before emerging from the pits ahead of Russell. He then resisted Norris’s comeback in the final laps to offer the Scuderia its very first podium of the season. A result that gives Maranello a bit of breathing room.

Max Verstappen is doing well.

Penalized with five seconds for cutting the first turn during his duel with Oscar Piastri at the start, Max Verstappen avoided a heavier penalty. While the incident sparked debate, the stewards decided in favor of a measured sanction. Red Bull briefly considered contesting this decision but eventually decided against it.

Indeed, at the front of the peloton, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri were battling for the lead. The Australian, better positioned on the inside of the first corner, seemed to be ahead, but the Dutchman chose to go off track to maintain the position. Claiming he was pushed, Verstappen did not give the place back to Piastri. The result: a five-second penalty imposed by the race direction, who deemed the overtaking maneuver irregular. Visibly annoyed, the three-time world champion had to settle for second place, behind a flawless Oscar Piastri.

The Flops

Yuki Tsunoda falls back into his ways

Qualified for Q3 for the first time with Red Bull, Yuki Tsunoda had the opportunity to confirm after his top 10 in Bahrain. But the hope lasted only one lap. Involved in a collision with Pierre Gasly right from the start, the Japanese driver compromised his race and that of the Alpine driver. Already at fault during free practice, Tsunoda continues to make mistakes and struggles to impress in this early stage of his journey with the Austrian team.

Lewis Hamilton, still struggling

Satisfied with a simple Q3 on Saturday, Lewis Hamilton still struggles to find his rhythm. On Sunday, the Briton crossed the line in seventh position, far behind Charles Leclerc, a solid third. Race after race, the seven-time world champion remains outpaced by his teammate and unable to secure a top 5 finish. A lukewarm start, far from the expectations placed on him.