JEDDAH, April 19 – The final practice session ahead of the highly anticipated Saudi Arabian Grand Prix saw an intense battle at the top of the leaderboard, with McLaren’s Lando Norris narrowly outpacing his teammate Oscar Piastri in a show of pure racing finesse.
Beneath the bright afternoon skies at the fast-paced Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Norris clocked the fastest lap of the session, recording a time of 1 minute and 27.489 seconds. His Australian teammate Piastri followed closely behind with a lap just 0.024 seconds slower, signaling that both McLaren drivers are in top form heading into Sunday’s race.
McLaren Teammates Lead the Pack
The McLaren garage will no doubt be pleased with the performance of both drivers, who are not only leading practice times but also dominating the early part of the season. Piastri, who clinched victory in the previous round in Bahrain, is breathing down Norris’s neck in the overall standings just three points behind. If he manages to win under the floodlights on race day, Piastri will become the first Australian to lead the drivers’ championship since Mark Webber in 2010.
Despite the tight gap between them, Norris has held onto the top spot since the season opener in Melbourne and seems determined to maintain his position. The internal competition within the McLaren camp is adding an extra layer of excitement to the 2025 Formula One season.
Russell Impresses, Red Bull and Ferrari Lag
Behind the McLaren duo, Mercedes’ George Russell delivered a strong lap to secure third fastest, although he was over six-tenths off Norris’s benchmark. His time of 1:28.116 keeps him in the mix, but a noticeable gap exists between the Silver Arrows and the leading McLarens.
Max Verstappen, who has traditionally been a dominant force in recent years, finished the session in fourth place for Red Bull, with a time nearly nine-tenths slower than Norris. The Dutch driver has faced a somewhat inconsistent start to the season and will be looking to regain momentum when it counts during qualifying and race day.
Charles Leclerc took fifth for Ferrari, also within a second of the leader. The Monegasque is continuing his push for a more competitive season, but the gap to the McLarens suggests that Ferrari still has work to do to catch up.
Midfield Mix-Up Shows Tight Competition
The midfield saw some surprising names posting strong performances. Alex Albon, driving for Williams, placed sixth with a time just nine-tenths off the lead. Albon’s display was a reminder that the Williams team can still punch above their weight under the right conditions.
His former teammate, Carlos Sainz, now also with Ferrari, came in seventh, trailing Albon by about two-tenths. Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly, who had led the opening practice on Friday for Alpine, found himself eighth in this session. Though not as dominant as the previous day, his performance kept Alpine in the conversation.
Yuki Tsunoda continued to showcase solid pace for Red Bull’s sister team, rounding out the top ten with an efficient lap. Just ahead of him was Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes’ rookie from Italy, who slotted into ninth. The young driver continues to grow in confidence and is beginning to find his rhythm among the top-tier talent.
Hamilton Struggles in Jeddah
In an unexpected turn, Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion now driving for Ferrari, could only manage the 12th fastest time. He was beaten not only by his teammate Sainz but also by Isack Hadjar, the promising French rookie from Racing Bulls.
Hamilton expressed his frustration over the team radio during the session, stating, “I just don’t have grip, mate, I don’t know.” His struggles in practice will no doubt be a concern heading into qualifying, especially as Ferrari aims to mount a strong championship challenge this season.
Looking Ahead to Qualifying
As the final practice wrapped up under fading daylight, all eyes now turn to the upcoming qualifying session, which is expected to be just as competitive. With Norris and Piastri clearly in control at the moment, the pressure will be on the rest of the grid to respond.
If this practice session is any indication, Sunday’s race under the Jeddah lights is shaping up to be a thrilling showdown—not just between teams, but also among teammates. The McLaren duo will need to manage the delicate balance of internal rivalry and teamwork, while the chasing pack works to close the gap.
The 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix promises to be a pivotal moment in the season, especially with championship positions potentially on the line. The stage is set, the drivers are ready, and the fans can expect an electrifying battle on the streets of Jeddah.