Welcome to Jeddah: The Fastest Street Circuit on the Calendar

The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is notorious for its breakneck pace, narrow walls, and limited margin for error. Averaging speeds north of 250 km/h, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix offers little time to breathe—and even less time to recover from mistakes. With DRS zones fueling overtakes and safety cars almost guaranteed, anything can happen.

McLaren the Team to Beat?

After Bahrain, it’s hard to deny McLaren’s frontrunner status. Oscar Piastri is riding high off his dominant win, while Lando Norris leads the championship despite a shaky start off the line in Sakhir. Jeddah will test the MCL38’s raw pace on a track that rewards aerodynamic efficiency and high-speed stability—both of which McLaren seems to have in spades right now.

Expect both drivers to be in the hunt for pole and the win, especially if their qualifying performance mirrors what we saw in Bahrain.

Mercedes Looking to Capitalize

George Russell’s resilience in Bahrain was impressive, and Mercedes appears to be the best of the rest—if not an outright contender, depending on how the W16 behaves in high-speed corners. Jeddah will expose weaknesses in braking systems and rear-end grip—two areas that Russell and Lewis Hamilton have flagged as concerns.

Don’t be surprised if Mercedes plays the long game here with an aggressive tire strategy or early undercut, especially if they qualify behind McLaren.

Verstappen’s Red Bull: Fast or Fragile?

Red Bull is on edge. Verstappen’s sixth-place finish in Bahrain was a combination of poor pit work, an uncooperative car, and mounting tension inside the team. The Jeddah layout could favor Red Bull’s top-end speed—if the RB21 behaves. But if internal drama continues to spill into race weekends, another lackluster result could deal a major psychological blow to the reigning champions.

And if Verstappen’s relationship with Red Bull deteriorates any further, the media frenzy in Jeddah could eclipse the action on-track.

Ferrari’s Reliability Test

Leclerc was fast but not fast enough in Bahrain, and Sainz didn’t get far enough to prove anything. The SF-25 needs to show more in Jeddah—especially in terms of tire degradation and mid-corner traction. If Ferrari can nail the setup, they could find themselves on the podium. But inconsistency remains their Achilles’ heel.

Midfield Watch: Aston, Haas, and Alpine

Aston Martin has been a mystery so far in 2025, and Jeddah won’t make things any easier. Expect Nico Hülkenberg to continue his solid form for Haas, while Alpine needs a clean weekend after underwhelming in Bahrain.

Jeddah is a street circuit with a bite—ideal for midfield teams to gamble on strategy and steal a top-five finish.

Key Storylines to Watch in Saudi Arabia

• Can McLaren go back-to-back and widen their lead?
• Will Red Bull implode or rebound?
• Can Ferrari finally execute a clean weekend?
• What role will safety cars and strategy play in shaking up the order?
• Will Jeddah’s unforgiving layout lead to more DNFs than usual?

Richard Jarocki’s Take: High Stakes, High Style

For those attending the Grand Prix in person, Jeddah offers an electric mix of luxury, exclusivity, and adrenaline. The Corniche promenade, beachside fan zones, and lavish hospitality suites make it one of the most visually stunning races on the calendar.

And if you’re looking for VIP travel, curated nightlife, and behind-the-scenes paddock access, there’s no better way to experience it than through a Richard Jarocki luxury F1 travel package.

The 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is more than just Race 2—it’s a litmus test for who’s ready to contend, who’s falling apart, and who’s bluffing. Buckle up for the fastest street race in F1, where every millisecond counts.