Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025: pre-qualifying



A two stop is likely for this race weekend, due to softer tyres being brought. Hopefully a repeat of Suzuka will not be on the cards. It’s also a low downforce circuit, contrary to many on the calendar (and the antithesis of Monaco).



As with Bahrain, the second practice session is the most relevant as it’s on at the same time (evening) as both qualifying and the race.

The first practice session had Gasly first, which would be quite the result in qualifying. He was seven-thousandths up on Norris and seven-hundredths ahead of Leclerc. Piastri was close behind, and then came Albon a couple of tenths slower. Russell, Sainz, Hamilton, Verstappen and Tsunoda rounded out the top 10.

In second practice, which was curtailed due to Tsunoda hitting the wall and bringing out a red flag, Norris was quickest, a tenth and a half up on Piastri. Verstappen was third, a tenth slower. Then it was two-tenths back to Leclerc, and a similar margin from him to Sainz, Tsunoda, and Russell. Gasly, Hulkenberg, and Albon followed.

So far, looking good for Norris and Williams, less good for Ferrari.

In third practice Norris was faster than Piastri by two-hundredths of a second. And then there was a six-tenths gap back to Russell. Verstappen was fourth but a further two-tenths off the pace, narrowly ahead of Leclerc and Albon. Sainz was one-tenth behind his team mate, continuing Williams’ strong form in practice, with Gasly, Tsunoda, and Antonelli following.



Right now it’s looking, again, like McLaren should lock out the front row. But we’ve seen at multiple races that others, such as Verstappen and Russell, can spoil the papaya party. Also looking decent for Williams. Aston Martin look less than great.

If we go by FP2 then Verstappen’s likeliest to disrupt McLaren domination in qualifying, but Leclerc and Russell cannot be ruled out. The odds on the McLaren drivers are each evens, so not much value there as it’s essentially betting on a coin toss in a stiff wind.

I will, probably, offer a qualifying bet at some point this season but with two cars very quick yet clearly not invulnerable, and with multiple rather than one clear challenger, it will not be this day.

Qualifying is at 6pm UK time.



Morris

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