Charles Leclerc delivered a composed and strategic drive at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on 20th April to clinch his first podium of the 2025 Formula 1 season, finishing third behind Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen in a dramatic and controversy-filled race. The result marked a significant milestone for the Monegasque driver and a crucial turnaround in form for Scuderia Ferrari HP, who topped the weekend points tally for the second race running.
Starting fourth on the grid, Leclerc executed a patient and intelligent race strategy that allowed him to briefly lead before a well-timed pit stop on lap 30 brought him back into the fight. With fresher tyres and cleaner air, he hunted down George Russell and pulled off a decisive overtake on lap 38 to reclaim third. Leclerc then had to manage pressure from Lando Norris in the final laps but kept his composure to secure his 44th career podium and Ferrari’s 830th in the sport.
Leclerc’s performance stood in contrast to his team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who struggled to find consistent pace and spent much of the race battling in traffic. He crossed the line seventh, still contributing valuable points as Ferrari continues to make headway in race conditions, even as qualifying form remains a focus area for improvement.
The race itself was packed with drama from the outset. Polesitter Max Verstappen found himself in hot water after forcing Oscar Piastri wide at turn one, a move that saw the Red Bull driver handed a five-second penalty. The penalty, served during his pit stop, ultimately cost him the win as Piastri took advantage of clean air and a strong McLaren strategy to pull clear. The Australian’s assured victory — his third of the season — pushed him to the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings. Verstappen, visibly agitated post-race, refused to comment on the penalty, citing fears of FIA repercussions for expressing criticism.
Further down the field, Norris mounted a spirited recovery from P10 to finish fourth, just shy of Leclerc. Mercedes’ George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli rounded out the top six, while Hamilton trailed behind. Williams also had reason to celebrate, with Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon finishing eighth and ninth respectively, in the team’s best collective result this year. Isack Hadjar claimed the final point for Racing Bulls, holding off a determined Fernando Alonso, who remains without points in 2025.
Off-track tensions simmered as Verstappen and Red Bull questioned the severity of his penalty, while McLaren stood firm, with team boss Zak Brown calling the decision “appropriate”. Verstappen, meanwhile, criticised the lack of freedom to speak openly in modern F1, stating that expressing honest opinions can now “put you in trouble”.
With a brief pause before the next round in Miami, Ferrari will focus on carrying this momentum into the American double-header. For Charles Leclerc, the Jeddah podium represents more than just points — it’s a signal that he and Ferrari are finding their rhythm again.
Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
Photo source: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre