Piastri Triumphs in Jeddah: McLaren’s Rising Star Takes Command of the Championship
April 20, 2025 – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
The 2025 Formula 1 season continued in spectacular fashion under the lights of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, where McLaren’s Oscar Piastri delivered a poised and decisive drive to secure his third victory of the season at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The win launches the 23-year-old into the lead of the Drivers’ Championship and solidifies McLaren’s position as the early front-runner in the Constructors’ standings.
Piastri’s path to victory was far from straightforward. Starting from the front row, he immediately came under pressure from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who started on pole. A near-collision on the opening lap led Verstappen to cut Turn 2, resulting in a five-second time penalty that disrupted his early strategy. Piastri took advantage, building a consistent lead and managing the race with remarkable control.
“I just kept my head down and focused on executing our plan. The car felt great, and I’m proud of what we accomplished today,” Piastri said post-race.
Final Podium:
Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
Leclerc’s third-place finish marked his first podium of the 2025 season, a promising sign for Ferrari after a slow start to the campaign. Despite Verstappen’s penalty, he recovered to finish second, but the day ultimately belonged to Piastri and the McLaren team.
Driver Spotlight: Oscar Piastri
This week’s spotlight shines on Oscar Piastri, who has rapidly transformed from a highly-rated prospect into a serious championship contender. His victory in Jeddah showcased racecraft, composure, and leadership — all critical elements of a title-caliber driver.
With three wins from four races, Piastri becomes the first Australian to lead the Formula 1 World Championship since Mark Webber in 2010. McLaren, too, appears to have made a major leap forward, proving its car can challenge at both traditional circuits and high-speed street tracks.
Championship Standings After Saudi Arabia
Drivers’ Championship:
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 99 pts
Lando Norris (McLaren) – 89 pts
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 87 pts
George Russell (Mercedes) – 73 pts
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 47 pts
Constructors’ Championship:
McLaren – 188 pts
Mercedes – 111 pts
Red Bull – 92 pts
Ferrari – 78 pts
Williams – 25 pts
Up Next: Miami Grand Prix – May 4, 2025
The season resumes in two weeks with the Miami Grand Prix, where McLaren will look to extend its momentum and rivals will aim to regroup. With Piastri leading the way and Norris not far behind, the championship battle is wide open—and heating up fast.
Stay with Elevated Media for continued coverage throughout the 2025 Formula 1 season. #ElevateUp