F1 2025 Saudi Grand Prix starting grid with penalties applied following…. read more
After an electrifying qualifying session at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the grid is officially set for the fifth round of the 2025 Formula 1 season—the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The high-speed street track in Jeddah once again delivered intense drama, with Max Verstappen clinching pole position in a session that was as eventful as it was unpredictable.
Verstappen showcased a strong comeback following McLaren’s earlier dominance during the weekend. As Q3 began, it looked like Lando Norris could be in contention for a front-row start, but an early crash from the McLaren driver brought out the red flag, halting the session. This incident worked out perfectly for Verstappen, who had two fresh sets of soft tyres remaining when the session resumed.
In contrast, Oscar Piastri, the other McLaren driver and Verstappen’s closest rival during qualifying, only had one set of softs left. Despite pushing hard, Piastri couldn’t top the reigning world champion’s lap. Verstappen secured pole with a time of 1:27.294, earning his 42nd career pole position and putting himself in a strong position heading into Sunday’s race.
Piastri was just 0.010 seconds behind Verstappen and will start alongside him on the front row, giving fans hope for a thrilling battle into Turn 1. Mercedes’ George Russell will begin the race from third after putting together a clean lap, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc securing fourth, though over three-tenths off the pole pace.
Youngster Kimi Antonelli, continuing to impress in his rookie season with Mercedes, qualified fifth, followed by Carlos Sainz in sixth. Sainz’s performance was notable as he continues to adapt to his new surroundings at Williams after switching from Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, will start seventh, just ahead of Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda in eighth and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly in ninth.
As for Norris, his Q3 crash meant he could not set a time and will start down in 10th, facing a tough challenge if he hopes to maintain his current lead in the championship standings. He’ll have to make up places quickly around one of the most unforgiving circuits on the calendar.
Further down the grid, Alex Albon of Williams leads the group of drivers eliminated in Q2, qualifying 11th. He is followed by Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls in 12th and 14th, respectively, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso sandwiched between them in 13th. Haas driver Ollie Bearman rounds out the Q2 dropouts in 15th.
Q1 saw a mix of rookies and veterans fail to progress. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, Alpine’s Jack Doohan, and both Sauber drivers—Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto—were knocked out early. Esteban Ocon, now racing for Haas, also missed out on Q2 and will line up 19th.
Here is the full starting grid with all penalties already applied and positions confirmed by the FIA:
- Max Verstappen [Red Bull] – 1:27.294
- Oscar Piastri [McLaren] – +0.010
- George Russell [Mercedes] – +0.113
- Charles Leclerc [Ferrari] – +0.376
- Kimi Antonelli [Mercedes] – +0.572
- Carlos Sainz [Williams] – +0.870
- Lewis Hamilton [Ferrari] – +0.907
- Yuki Tsunoda [Red Bull] – +0.910
- Pierre Gasly [Alpine] – +1.073
- Lando Norris [McLaren] – No Time
- Alex Albon [Williams] – Q2
- Liam Lawson [Racing Bulls] – Q2
- Fernando Alonso [Aston Martin] – Q2
- Isack Hadjar [Racing Bulls] – Q2
- Ollie Bearman [Haas] – Q2
- Lance Stroll [Aston Martin] – Q1
- Jack Doohan [Alpine] – Q1
- Nico Hülkenberg [Sauber] – Q1
- Esteban Ocon [Haas] – Q1
- Gabriel Bortoleto [Sauber] – Q1
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Start Time
The race begins today, Sunday, April 20, 2025, at 8:00 PM local time (AST). Here are the corresponding start times in various regions:
- UK (BST): 6:00 PM
- Central Europe (CEST): 7:00 PM
- USA (EDT/CDT/PDT): 1:00 PM / 12:00 PM / 10:00 AM
- Australia (AEST/AWST/ACST): 3:00 AM / 1:00 AM / 2:30 AM (Monday)
- Japan (JST): 2:00 AM (Monday)
- India (IST): 10:30 PM
- Brazil (BRT): 2:00 PM
- South Africa (SAST) & Egypt (EET): 7:00 PM
- Singapore (SST): 1:00 AM (Monday)
- Turkey (EEST): 8:00 PM
Where to Watch the Race Live
Viewers across the globe can tune in through various broadcasters:
- UK: Sky Sports
- USA: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
- Australia: Fox Sports, Kayo, Network Ten
- Japan: Fuji TV, DAZN
- Italy: Sky Italia
- Spain: DAZN F1
- Germany: Sky Deutschland
- France: Canal+
- Mexico: Fox Sports Mexico
- Netherlands: Viaplay
- China: CCTV, Tencent
- Canada: RDS, TSN, Noovo
- Singapore: beIN SPORTS
- Belgium: RTBF, Play Sports
- Hungary: M4
With fierce competition at the front and many drivers eager to prove themselves, fans can expect a gripping race under the lights
