Piastri Aims for Championship Lead in Jeddah

Oscar Piastri is poised to become Australia's first Formula One championship leader in 15 years if he secures a win in Saudi Arabia, following his recent victory in Bahrain that put him just three points behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris. Piastri is currently the only repeat winner in the 2025 season and has shown strong form and confidence heading into the Jeddah race, a track he has excelled at in the past. Lando Norris, despite a self-critical assessment of his Bahrain performance, remains the championship leader and is determined to regain momentum at a circuit where he finished behind Piastri last year. Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has weighed in, favoring Norris for the title but emphasizing that the rivalry between the two McLaren drivers is marked by mutual respect and effective team management, reflecting a shift from more intense rivalries of previous eras. Max Verstappen, currently eight points behind Norris, remains a contender as he seeks to leverage his past successes at Jeddah, though he faces challenges after a difficult Bahrain race. The outcome in Saudi Arabia could significantly reshape the championship standings as the season progresses.