McLaren Impresses the 2025 Formula 1 season continued under the floodlights of Jeddah as all ten teams hit the track for Friday practice at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. On a circuit known for its high spe erformance in the second practice session.
Norris Leads the Way, But Stays Humble
McLaren driver Lando Norris topped the timesheets in the second practice session, clocking an impressive lap time of 1:28.267. He was followed closely by his teammate, Oscar Piastri, who came in just behind at 1:28.430. While the results show strong early form from the team, Norris was quick to downplay the excitement. Speaking after the session, he admitted the team was “not as comfortable as we would like” and pointed out that there’s still work to be done before qualifying.
The British driver has had an impressive start to the season and currently leads the driver standings. However, he remains cautious and focused, stressing that performance on Friday doesn’t always reflect what will happen during qualifying or the race itself. According to Norris, the team still needs to “fine-tune the setup” and better understand how their tires behave during longer stints.
Piastri Confident but Wary of Competition
Oscar Piastri, who finished second fastest in FP2, also shared his thoughts after a strong showing. He said the car felt solid and quick, but echoed Norris’s sentiments about needing more time to perfect the setup. The Australian driver, who’s showing rapid development in just his second full season, brushed the barriers lightly during the session but continued without major incident.
Piastri emphasized that while the team seems to be in a good position, there’s still a lot of competition out there. Teams like Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari are always dangerous, and a lot can change between Friday and race day.
Red Bull Experiences a Mixed Day
While McLaren celebrated a solid start, Red Bull had a mixed bag of results in Saudi Arabia. Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen finished third fastest in FP2, just under three-tenths of a second behind Norris. Verstappen looked competitive during both sessions, but his Red Bull didn’t appear to have the same level of grip or balance as the McLarens.
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s sister team had a scare when Yuki Tsunoda suffered a crash in the final corner of the circuit, bringing out the red flags and ending the session early. The young Japanese driver hit the barriers at high speed, a reminder of how unforgiving the Jeddah Corniche Circuit can be. Thankfully, Tsunoda was uninjured and walked away from the crash, though the damage to the car will likely cost the team valuable prep time.
Rumors Swirl, but Verstappen’s Future Still Firm
Alongside on-track action, the paddock was abuzz with speculation about Max Verstappen’s future. Despite rumors suggesting a possible move away from Red Bull, Aston Martin’s team boss dismissed the idea, stating there have been no discussions or considerations of such a move. Verstappen himself appears committed to Red Bull, where he’s already secured multiple world championships and continues to be the central figure of their success.
Ferrari Faces Uphill Battle
Ferrari came into the weekend hoping to rebound after a tough start to the season. Charles Leclerc managed a decent fourth-place time in the second practice, showing signs of pace. However, it was a more frustrating day for his new teammate, Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton, who made the high-profile switch to Ferrari at the beginning of this season, continues to struggle to find comfort in the car. While he remains optimistic about the team’s long-term direction, Friday’s performance indicated they are still behind rivals in terms of balance and tire management. The seven-time world champion admitted that his setup felt “off” and said there’s a lot of work to be done overnight.
Despite the early struggles, Hamilton reaffirmed that he’s fully committed to helping Ferrari climb back to the top. “It’s going to take time,” he said, “but I believe in this team.”
Alpine Surprises with Strong FP1 Showing
One of the more surprising moments of the day came during the first practice session when Alpine’s Pierre Gasly unexpectedly topped the timesheets. His lap time of 1:29.239 was enough to edge out Norris, giving Alpine a rare moment at the front of the field.
For a team that’s been mid-pack for the last few seasons, Gasly’s performance brought a much-needed morale boost. The Frenchman said it was encouraging to see their hard work paying off, though he cautioned that practice sessions don’t always translate into qualifying or race results. Nevertheless, it was a sign that Alpine could be in the mix for solid points this weekend if things go their way.
Mercedes Working Quietly in the Background
Mercedes remained somewhat under the radar during Friday’s sessions. George Russell and new teammate Mick Schumacher focused on longer runs and tire data rather than headline lap times. Russell, who has taken on a more senior role in the team since Hamilton’s departure, said they’re focused on building consistency and gathering information rather than chasing top speeds in practice.
Schumacher, eager to prove himself after rejoining the grid, spent most of the day working on race pace simulations. Mercedes hasn’t yet shown whether they can contend for the podium this weekend, but they are expected to bring updates in time for qualifying.
High Stakes Heading into Qualifying
As teams pore over the data and prepare for Saturday’s qualifying session, it’s clear the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is shaping up to be a tightly contested race. McLaren appears to have found serious pace on the Jeddah circuit, but the unpredictable nature of Formula 1 means nothing is guaranteed.
Will McLaren maintain their edge? Can Red Bull strike back? Will Ferrari and Mercedes find the form they’ve been searching for? And could we see a surprise from Alpine or Aston Martin?
One thing is certain — the rest of the weekend promises high-speed action, drama, and a shake-up in the standings. With the championship still in its early stages, every point matters, and every decision counts.
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