Top Performers at the FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2025

The FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2025 at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit delivered a thrilling race filled with early battles, a safety car on lap 1, and intense late-race fights for position. As the drivers navigated the challenging street circuit, fans were treated to an action-packed spectacle that kept them on the edge of their seats. In this recap, we dive into the Jeddah driver standings and highlight the standout performances from a race that had it all.

P20: Gabriel Bortoleto, Kick Sauber (#5)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Ranking
20	20	18	0	30	0	22	31

Gabriel Bortoleto’s weekend in Saudi Arabia was filled with setbacks from the start. A fuel leak issue prevented him from running a proper qualifying simulation, leaving him at the back of the grid. His qualifying session ended in a spin, securing him P20.

During the race, Bortoleto had a close encounter with his manager, Fernando Alonso, resulting in a scary bump, which earned him a black-and-white flag for moving under braking. Despite the challenges, he managed to finish the race, albeit a lap down in P18, the last of the race finishers.

It’s been a tough weekend for Bortoleto, as the lack of qualifying preparation and a challenging race meant that he couldn’t demonstrate his true potential.

P19: Pierre Gasly, Alpine (#10)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Ranking
9	9	Retired/20	54	11	6	24	37

Pierre Gasly’s weekend in Saudi Arabia began with issues, as an error during Q1 saw him leaving the pits with a tire blanket still on his front-right wheel. Despite this, Gasly recovered well, making it to Q3 and securing P9 on the grid for Sunday’s race. However, his race was cut short after a first-lap incident with Yuki Tsunoda, leaving him unable to finish.

Gasly showed competitiveness throughout the weekend, and his qualifying performance was a positive despite the earlier mishap. Unfortunately, his race was marred by a racing incident that left him retiring early, but his pace indicated that he had the potential to secure a strong result.

P18: Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing (#22)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
8	8	Retired/19	57	19	5	35	47

Yuki Tsunoda’s qualifying performance was solid as he made it to Q3 and secured P8 on the grid, a respectable result for a second driver in a Red Bull team that’s been dominated by Max Verstappen. However, Tsunoda’s race didn’t go as planned. Despite his strong qualifying position, his race ended in disappointment after a first-lap incident with teammate Pierre Gasly, resulting in a racing incident that forced Tsunoda out of the race.

While the weekend ultimately didn’t deliver any points, Tsunoda’s qualifying result was a positive for his overall performance.

P17: Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team (#31)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
19	19	14	14	44	14	36	38

Esteban Ocon’s weekend in Saudi Arabia saw continued struggles in qualifying, as he was eliminated in Q1 and outqualified by his teammate Oliver Bearman. Starting from P19, it looked like another tough race for Ocon. However, he showed resilience and executed a solid race strategy, finishing in P14, just behind Bearman.

P16: Nico Hülkenberg, Kick Sauber (#27)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
18	18	15	24	43	6	36	40

Nico Hülkenberg’s weekend in Jeddah was another tough outing, as he could only manage P18 in qualifying, a result that seemed to reflect the limitations of his car. With few opportunities to shine, Hülkenberg quietly brought his car home in P15, showing solid racecraft to finish ahead of some competitors despite the lack of pace.

P15: Jack Doohan, Alpine (#7)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
17	17	17	31	42	0	37	34

Jack Doohan’s weekend in Saudi Arabia was another challenging one, as he failed to make any significant impact. With P17 in both qualifying and the race, his performance was largely underwhelming, reflecting the struggles Alpine is currently facing with their car.

Despite the lack of pace, Doohan did well to keep his car intact and bring it to the finish. While not the result he would have hoped for, it’s important to note that the young driver continued to show resilience in what was a tough race.

P14: Lance Stroll, Aston Martin (#18)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
16	16	16	34	44	10	41	42

Lance Stroll’s weekend in Jeddah was another tough chapter in a season that has not lived up to expectations. His record now stands as one of the most infamous in Formula 1 history—Stroll holds the most Q1 eliminations since the qualifying format’s introduction in 2006, with 75 knockouts, surpassing Kevin Magnussen’s previous record.

While Stroll is far from the worst driver on the grid, this record encapsulates his career—a combination of mediocrity and occasional flashes of potential. Despite having the financial backing to stay in F1, his overall results have often failed to match the standard expected from a team like Aston Martin.

Race day wasn’t much better. A gamble with extended stints didn’t pay off, and Stroll finished P16, a lap down. While he’s not lacking in the talent department, consistency remains elusive, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that he needs to deliver stronger performances to justify his place in the team.

P13: Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team (#87)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
15	15	13	37	53	6	47	46

Oliver Bearman’s season continues to be a tale of steady progress, as he qualified P15, once again showcasing his consistent form despite a lack of raw pace. A slow 4.1-second pit stop disrupted his rhythm slightly, but Bearman managed to maintain composure and navigate a solid race, finishing P13 ahead of teammate Esteban Ocon.

While Haas still struggles to extract maximum performance, Bearman’s ability to stay competitive and keep his team in the fight for points speaks volumes about his maturity and potential. Each race, he continues to show that he is one to watch in the future.

P12: Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin (#14)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
13	13	11	43	56	0	51	48

Fernando Alonso faced an uphill battle all weekend in Jeddah, with P13 in qualifying marking the best he could extract from a car that simply lacked pace. The veteran’s resilience was evident, but it wasn’t an easy race—most notably with a frightening brush with Bortoleto, which could have ended much worse.

Alonso showed his experience, navigating a challenging race to finish in P11, just outside the points. Despite the car’s limitations, his racecraft and race management kept him in the hunt. However, the lack of competitiveness from Aston Martin is undeniable.

P11: Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls (#30)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
12	12	12	46	56	0	53	45

Liam Lawson faced a challenging weekend in Saudi Arabia, starting P12 in qualifying ahead of his teammate Hadjar. However, a tough race followed, as Lawson was handed a 10-second penalty for gaining an advantage off-track while passing Jack Doohan at the first chicane on lap 28.

Despite the penalty, Lawson showed grit but ultimately ended up where he started—P12—unable to capitalize on any potential positions due to the time penalty. While the result wasn’t ideal, it’s clear that Lawson is struggling to find his footing in the competitive field.

A weekend to forget, but the Kiwi driver will certainly be looking to bounce back stronger in the next race.

P10: Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls (#6)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
14	14	10	40	59	5	53	49

Isack Hadjar had a challenging start to the weekend, hitting the wall during Q1 and ultimately qualifying P14. However, his resilience shone through on race day, where he fought back to secure P10 after a hard-fought battle with Albon.

Hadjar’s race was a lesson in determination and tactical racing. Despite the limitations of his starting position and the difficulty of overtaking in dirty air, he pushed on and showed solid pace, especially with fresh medium tyres. A late surge brought him close, but the Williams’ defensive skills and tyre management kept him from advancing further.

 

P9: Alexander Albon, Williams (#23)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
11	11	9	47	61	20	58	60

Alexander Albon continues to punch above his weight, narrowly missing Q3 by just 0.007 seconds and settling for P11 on the grid. Despite the frustration, his pace through Q1 was electric—dancing the car along the walls with commitment and control.

On Sunday, Albon delivered another gutsy drive. He fought hard through the midfield and, thanks to smart teamwork with Sainz and some late-race grit, came out on top in a tense battle with Hadjar to secure P9.

Williams is beginning to look like a top-half team again, and Albon is a key driver of that shift.

P8: Carlos Sainz, Williams (#55)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
6	6	8	63	69	5	66	54

Carlos Sainz is quickly settling into life at Williams, delivering an assured and intelligent drive that continues to build momentum in his new surroundings. A strong P6 in qualifying marked his best one-lap performance yet with the team, showcasing growing comfort in the package.

Sainz’s race was a masterclass in teamwork. He tactically maintained his pace to help keep his teammate within DRS range during critical stages—crucial for both defending and keeping rhythm in a tightly packed midfield. Despite the support role, he still managed to bring the car home in P8, adding valuable points to both his and the team’s tally.

P7: Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari (#44)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
7	7	7	60	69	31	67	65

Lewis Hamilton’s adaptation to life in red continues to be a story of flashes of brilliance amidst persistent struggles. Qualifying P7—nearly a full second off the pace and 0.6s behind teammate Leclerc—highlighted another difficult Saturday.

In the race, however, Hamilton played the team role. He made his Ferrari as wide as possible, acting as a buffer that helped protect Leclerc’s strategy from both Norris and Verstappen. But tyre management, a hallmark of his career, was noticeably lacking—particularly during his opening stint on mediums, where he lost significant performance compared to Leclerc on the same compound.

While his pace recovered late in the race, the early drop-off proved costly. Hamilton ultimately finished where he started, P7—solid points, but still short of what we expect from a seven-time World Champion.

P6: Lando Norris, McLaren (#4)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
10	10	4	53	71	89	68	79

A bruising weekend for Lando Norris—both physically and mentally—after a heavy crash in Q3 brought out the red flags. The 25g impact prompted a medical car response, but thankfully, Norris was cleared and able to race, albeit sore and on the back foot.

Starting P10, Norris delivered a strong recovery drive, executing a long first stint on hard tyres to finish P4. It was a case of damage limitation done well, though perhaps with a touch of frustration. His DRS battles with Hamilton may have cost him the time needed to challenge Leclerc for the final podium spot—hovering 1.3 to 1.5 seconds behind but never quite striking distance.

This marks another weekend where a qualifying error undid what could have been a podium result. With teammate Oscar Piastri now equal in career wins, the internal pressure at McLaren is growing. Norris remains quick and capable, but confidence appears to be wavering.

P5: Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes (#12)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
5	5	6	66	72	38	71	67

Kimi Antonelli continues to impress in his debut season, delivering another solid performance that defies his rookie status. He qualified P5—right behind teammate George Russell—and brought the car home in P6 after a scrappy start.

Lap 1 saw Antonelli momentarily off track with all four wheels, costing him positions, but he quickly reset and settled into a rhythm. What followed was another composed drive that reinforced his growing reputation as Mercedes’ steady second man.

His consistency is remarkable. In just a handful of Grand Prix appearances, Antonelli is already operating with the calm precision of a seasoned pro. He’s not flashy, but he’s relentlessly efficient—exactly what Mercedes needs alongside Russell.

P4: Charles Leclerc, Ferrari (#16)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
4	4	3	69	79	47	75	68

Charles Leclerc once again proved why he’s among the grid’s elite, extracting the maximum from an underperforming Ferrari to secure the team’s first podium of the season.

Another P4 in qualifying may not have pleased the Monegasque—who continues to churn out inch-perfect laps in a car that can’t quite match his level—but it set the stage for an inspired Sunday. Leclerc extended his first stint brilliantly, managing tyre wear with precision and executing a clean strategy to jump into P3.

His defensive drive late in the race, particularly against a charging Lando Norris, was a masterclass in control. Crucially, his tyre management stood out: while others struggled—Hamilton notably on the mediums—Leclerc stretched his opening stint and maintained pace on both compounds.

A determined, well-measured drive from a driver doing more than the machinery should allow. If Ferrari finds more performance, Leclerc will be ready to pounce.

P3: George Russell, Mercedes (#63)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
3	3	5	76	76	73	76	75

George Russell continues to impress with consistency, even on weekends where outright pace is lacking. After securing P3 in qualifying, he brought the car home in P5—his lowest finish so far, yet still firmly inside the top five.

It was a relatively uneventful race for Russell, hampered by tyre degradation that kept him from mounting a challenge for the podium. However, his ability to extract solid points from a difficult race shouldn’t go unnoticed.

In fact, Russell remains the only driver to finish in the top five at every race this season—a testament to his composure, race management, and the quiet efficiency that keeps Mercedes in the mix, even when they’re not at their best.

P2: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing (#1)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
1	1	2	100	93	87	90	85

Max Verstappen delivered yet another elite performance in Jeddah, securing pole with a record-breaking 1:27.294 lap—surpassing his own benchmark from 2024.

His race, however, was shaped by a contentious Lap 1 incident. After overtaking Piastri off-track, Max received a five-second penalty, much to his frustration, claiming, “He [Piastri] forced me off! He had no intention to make the corner.” Yet, in typical Verstappen fashion, he made the most of it—using the clear air to build a sufficient buffer to his competitors, serving the penalty with minimal consequence.

While the move denied him victory, it was a calculated risk that nearly paid off. P2 was the best available result under the circumstances. Fans and stewards seemed satisfied seeing Verstappen on the receiving end of the same aggressive racing he’s known for.

Fast, fearless, and relentless—Verstappen reminded everyone why he remains the benchmark. Without the penalty, this likely would’ve been his race. Still, a commanding drive that earned him Driver of the Day and reinforced his presence in the title hunt.

P1: Oscar Piastri, McLaren (#81)

Qualifying Position	Grid Position	Race Position	Qualifying Score	Race Score	Standing Points	Driver Score	Season Rank
2	2	1	86	97	99	92	87

Oscar Piastri continues his meteoric rise with another composed and clinical drive, taking victory and the top spot in both the championship standings and our power rankings.

He narrowly missed out on pole by just 0.01s to Verstappen, then lost the lead at the start. Verstappen’s off-track overtake earned a five-second penalty, but Piastri was initially unable to close the gap due to dirty air. A slow 3.4s pit stop could have been costly, but Oscar responded with a bold undercut and a brilliant overtake on Hamilton to seal the win.

Piastri now becomes the first Australian since his manager Mark Webber in 2010 to lead the championship. He’s the only multi-race winner this year, claiming three of the last four races and matching Norris in career wins.