McLaren Sends Clear Warning as Norris Leads Piastri in Final Saudi Arabian GP Practice Session

The 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend has seen a seismic shift in expectations, with McLaren surging to the front of the pack during the final practice session in Jeddah. Lando Norris edged teammate Oscar Piastri in a closely fought battle that showcased the Woking-based team’s tremendous pace and strategic sharpness. As the sun set over the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, McLaren stamped its authority with a commanding one-two, putting Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes firmly on notice ahead of qualifying.

Norris Tops FP3 in Jeddah: McLaren’s Performance Surges in Saudi Arabia

Lando Norris continued his fine form in the 2025 Formula 1 season by clocking the fastest time of the session with a blistering 1:28.112. His lap came after multiple finely tuned runs on soft tyres, exploiting the high-speed characteristics of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Oscar Piastri was less than a tenth behind with a 1:28.174, ensuring McLaren locked out the top of the timing charts and underlined their growing status as genuine race-winning contenders.

The team’s performance was consistent throughout the session, with both cars excelling in the fast-flowing Sector 2 and maintaining impressive top-end speed on the long straights. The aerodynamic upgrades introduced in Bahrain appear to have fully matured, and Jeddah’s low-downforce setup plays directly into McLaren’s hands.

Red Bull on the Back Foot: Verstappen Struggles with Rear Grip

While McLaren soared, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen appeared to struggle with rear-end instability. The Dutchman could only manage third, his best lap a 1:28.246 after multiple scruffy attempts. His RB20 lacked composure under braking and appeared to suffer from snap oversteer through Turns 22 and 23.

Sergio Perez, meanwhile, failed to crack the top five, languishing in sixth after running into traffic on his final flying lap. Red Bull’s typically dominant race simulations were also less convincing than expected, suggesting setup compromises that haven’t fully paid off in Jeddah’s tight configuration.

Ferrari Shows Flash of Pace, but Inconsistency Lingers

Charles Leclerc managed a strong fourth-place finish in FP3 with a time of 1:28.342, hinting that Ferrari could challenge for the second row in qualifying. However, the SF-24 looked unpredictable, particularly in Sector 1, where Leclerc had several moments of understeer. Carlos Sainz, dealing with a telemetry issue for most of the session, wound up eighth, admitting over team radio that “the rear just isn’t biting at all.”

Tyre degradation also remains a concern for Ferrari. On the longer runs, both drivers struggled to maintain consistent lap times, with Leclerc’s pace dropping by over 0.8 seconds after six laps on softs.

Mercedes Playing Catch-Up, Hamilton and Russell Off the Pace

Mercedes endured another subdued session, with George Russell finishing seventh and Lewis Hamilton ninth. Despite running a newly revised floor aimed at improving rear stability, both drivers were unable to extract meaningful performance on low-fuel runs.

Hamilton appeared frustrated, reporting through team radio that the W15 “feels light and nervous, especially in the quick stuff.” Mercedes’ qualifying prospects look uncertain, with the team likely to be battling Aston Martin rather than threatening the top four.

Aston Martin’s Mixed Bag: Alonso in Top Ten, Stroll Struggles

Fernando Alonso once again outpaced his teammate, taking tenth with a solid but unspectacular lap. Lance Stroll ended up twelfth, a full half-second behind Alonso, as he struggled to nail the critical traction zones in Sector 3.

Aston Martin’s setup appears skewed toward Sunday’s race, with longer-run pace showing promise. However, a lack of single-lap punch could see them stuck in Q2 traffic unless Alonso pulls out something special in qualifying.

Final Practice Results – Top 10

Technical Focus: McLaren’s Rear Wing Package Making the Difference

McLaren’s standout feature in Jeddah appears to be a reworked rear wing with reduced drag and enhanced DRS efficiency. Combined with refined underfloor aerodynamics, the MCL38 shows immense balance under both high-speed cornering and braking. Norris was consistently faster than any rival through Turns 5 to 8, where mechanical grip and confidence in direction change are key.

This rear wing setup is especially impactful down Jeddah’s 1.2 km straight, where McLaren drivers consistently gained three-tenths over Ferrari and Mercedes in sector time comparisons.

What to Expect in Qualifying: McLaren Clear Favourites, but Can Red Bull Respond?

McLaren heads into qualifying with undeniable momentum. Their straight-line speed, tire management, and overall balance make them the clear favourites for a front-row lockout. The only serious threat appears to be Verstappen, who, if able to iron out the balance issues, remains capable of delivering a jaw-dropping lap.

Ferrari and Mercedes look to be scrapping for second-row spots, while Aston Martin may need a touch of luck or a safety car to mix it up with the front-runners.

Key Takeaways from FP3 in Jeddah

• McLaren dominates with Norris and Piastri setting the pace.
• Verstappen struggles with rear-end grip, lacking usual confidence.
• Ferrari inconsistent, showing flashes but lacking long-run durability.
• Mercedes underwhelms again, despite upgrades.
• Alonso remains solid, but Aston Martin lacks qualifying punch.

Conclusion: Is This McLaren’s Moment?

After years of rebuilding, McLaren has finally arrived as a consistent front-runner in 2025. Their performance in final practice at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is a culmination of smart technical evolution, precise driver execution, and team synergy. With qualifying just around the corner, all eyes are on Norris and Piastri as they aim to convert practice dominance into pole position glory. The papaya storm is real—and it’s reshaping the championship narrative one session at a time.