Although not the most unpredictable Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in history, the fifth round of Formula 1’s 2025 season featured a blend of impressive performances and forgettable moments.
Here are the key winners and losers from the race:
Winner – Oscar Piastri
Oscar Piastri secured his fifth Grand Prix victory and achieved the championship lead for the first time. Though not the fastest throughout the weekend, he executed a flawless race on Sunday, effectively battling Max Verstappen into Turn 1 and causing the latter to incur a penalty. Piastri maintained the pressure on Verstappen and showcased excellent race management post-pitstop, to solidify his win.
“He looks like a veteran,” said McLaren team boss Andrea Stella, a statement that seems very justified. – Josh Suttill
Loser – Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton finished a staggering 31 seconds behind his teammate. Unfortunately, this outcome reflected a weekend that simply did not go well for him in Jeddah, a track that continues to challenge him in the ground effect era. Despite high expectations for the Ferrari version of Hamilton, he has not demonstrated significant improvement thus far. – Val Khorounzhiy
Loser – Yuki Tsunoda
Yuki Tsunoda started the race with promise, having qualified respectably, but his race ended prematurely due to a collision with Pierre Gasly on the opening lap. This incident was a racing mishap that left Tsunoda with an unreflective total of just two points, contrasting with a positive early season performance. – JS
Winner – Williams
Williams capitalized on the situation to secure valuable points, finishing strong in Jeddah. The team effectively strategized to maintain Alex Albon within DRS range behind Carlos Sainz, showcasing a good understanding of race dynamics. This weekend marked a commendable performance from Sainz, affirming the team’s capabilities amidst the midfield. – VK
Loser – Lance Stroll
Lance Stroll’s disappointing performance in Saudi Arabia marked a stark contrast to his encouraging start to the season. With Aston Martin struggling for pace and Stroll experiencing another early exit in Q1, accompanied by a lack of substantial race performance, he finds himself holding an undesirable record for Q1 exits. His defense, while partially valid, still fails to mitigate the disappointment of being outpaced by his teammate. – Ben Anderson
Winner – Red Bull’s Turnaround
While Verstappen did not win this race, his capabilities to maximize performance from the Red Bull were highlighted. The weekend represented a significant turnaround after previous struggles, and though they missed a win, it reinforces the belief in their ability to compete for the championship once more, albeit with limitations in the constructors’ championship. – VK
