Penalty Verdict After Hamilton Nearly Causes Huge Crash In Saudi Arabia!
The 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix practice sessions have set the stage for a thrilling weekend, with McLaren continuing their dominant form and a controversial incident involving Lewis Hamilton stealing headlines. As the Formula 1 season hits its fifth round, McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri showcased blistering pace in Free Practice 2 (FP2), trading fastest laps and cementing their team’s status as the ones to beat. Meanwhile, a near-collision between Hamilton and Alex Albon in FP2 has raised questions about track etiquette, though stewards opted against a penalty. With Red Bull showing signs of recovery and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finding his rhythm, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit is poised for a dramatic showdown.
McLaren’s MCL39 was untouchable in FP2, with Norris and Piastri separated by mere fractions of a second in sector times. Their pace, reminiscent of their Bahrain dominance, underscores McLaren’s 58-point lead in the constructors’ championship. The intra-team rivalry between Norris, who leads the drivers’ standings, and Piastri, just three points behind, promises to intensify as both drivers vie for supremacy. This neck-and-neck battle, coupled with McLaren’s unrivaled car speed, makes them the clear favorites heading into qualifying and the race.
Red Bull, reeling from a disastrous Bahrain outing, showed promising signs of recovery in Saudi Arabia. Max Verstappen, who trailed the McLarens by just two-tenths of a second, and Yuki Tsunoda, three-tenths behind Verstappen, benefited from a more balanced RB21. Team principal Christian Horner highlighted setup experiments and upgrades, including an enlarged engine cover exit and a new beam wing, aimed at improving reliability and performance. However, Tsunoda’s session ended abruptly after clipping a wall at the final corner, resulting in a heavy crash that left his car in tatters. Despite this setback, Red Bull’s improved pace signals they could challenge McLaren’s dominance as the weekend progresses.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc emerged as a dark horse, posting competitive times with a third-place finish in Free Practice 1 (FP1) and fourth in FP2, despite a disrupted soft-tire run. The SF25’s new floor, introduced in Bahrain to reduce bottoming, appears to suit Leclerc’s driving style, boosting his confidence around Jeddah’s high-speed layout. In contrast, teammate Lewis Hamilton struggled, languishing in 13th in FP2 and failing to find pace. Hamilton’s challenges were compounded by a contentious moment in FP2, where he impeded Alex Albon at Turns 17 and 18. Driving slowly on the racing line, Hamilton forced Albon, on a flying lap, to take evasive action to avoid a potentially catastrophic collision.
Albon’s immediate radio complaint labeled Hamilton’s driving as “dangerous,” sparking debate among fans and pundits. The stewards investigated but concluded no penalty was warranted, noting that Albon maintained control and, upon reflection, did not deem the incident dangerous. The decision, based on an agreement with teams to avoid penalties for non-dangerous impeding in practice, has divided opinions. Some argue Hamilton’s positioning was reckless, while others believe Albon’s quick reaction mitigated the risk. This incident adds to Hamilton’s frustrating weekend, as he grapples with Ferrari’s setup and searches for the pace to match Leclerc.
As the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix approaches, McLaren’s dominance, Red Bull’s resurgence, and Ferrari’s mixed fortunes set the stage for a gripping battle. Hamilton’s close call with Albon serves as a reminder of Jeddah’s unforgiving nature, where split-second decisions can make or break a weekend. With qualifying and the race looming, all eyes are on whether McLaren can maintain their stranglehold, if Red Bull can close the gap, and how Hamilton will respond to his early struggles.
