The 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix delivered unexpected excitement during the third free practice session in Jeddah, where McLaren’s Lando Norris stunned everyone with a chart-topping lap.
Norris claimed the fastest time with an impressive 1:27.489, narrowly outpacing his teammate Oscar Piastri by a mere 0.024 seconds. This close rivalry between the McLaren drivers sets the stage for an intriguing qualifying session later in the day.
Meanwhile, Mercedes’ George Russell secured the third spot, though he was a notable 0.627 seconds behind Norris. Max Verstappen pushed his Red Bull to fourth place, edging past Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who landed in fifth just ahead of Alex Albon from Williams.
Notably, Yuki Tsunoda of Red Bull bounced back from his previous crash with a commendable ninth-quickest time, just behind Pierre Gasly’s Alpine. Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, continued a challenging season start, finishing twelfth as his quest for top spots remains unfulfilled since he last won in Jeddah in 2021.
The session highlighted a surprising mix, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli rounding out the top ten for Mercedes and other notable performances coming from drivers like Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly, who occupied sixth and eighth positions, respectively. The grid was full of unpredictable shifts, ensuring that enthusiasts remain on edge for what lies ahead.
As preparations for the qualifying and race events gain momentum, these practice results hint at a gripping showdown. With McLaren leading the charge and other teams closely trailing, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix promises high-adrenaline action.
