This post was created with help from AI.
You are not going to believe this, but our correspondent in the F1 paddock, the one and only Irwin D Trenton, aka Irw, is currently down with hangover… from having too much Waard in Bahrain. What is Waard? It’s the non-alcoholic rosewater drink that drivers spray on the podium at the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix. It totally defies all laws of physics, we know. Anyhoo, a PhD in Space Engineering for Irw might explain that. Today’s preview, unlike the previous one, is neither hilarious, nor funny. The man can barely type with his pinkie finger, you see. Drink Waard responsibly, kids.
PREVIEW
The 2025 Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, scheduled for April 18th to 20th, will mark the fifth round of the 2025 Formula One World Championship. This event, the fifth iteration of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, will take place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a 6.174-kilometer temporary street track featuring 27 corners, making it the circuit with the most turns on the F1 calendar. The race will cover 50 laps, totaling 308.450 kilometers, and is set to commence at 20:00 local time (UTC+3) on Sunday, April 20th, under floodlit conditions.
The weekend schedule begins on Friday, April 18th, with the first free practice session from 16:30 to 17:30 local time, followed by the second free practice session from 20:00 to 21:00. On Saturday, April 19th, the third free practice session will run from 16:30 to 17:30, with qualifying taking place from 20:00 to 21:00 to determine the starting grid. The circuit, known for its high-speed layout with average speeds around 250 km/h, includes three consecutive DRS zones and is the fastest street circuit in Formula 1 history. Weather conditions are expected to be hot and dry, with temperatures ranging from 28°C to 33°C, which may impact tire performance and race strategy.
Entering the event, McLaren leads the Constructors’ Championship with 151 points, followed by Mercedes with 93 points and Red Bull Racing with 71 points. In the Drivers’ Championship, Lando Norris holds the lead with 77 points, three points ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri, with Max Verstappen in third at 69 points. McLaren has shown strong form, with Piastri securing pole and victory in the recent Bahrain Grand Prix, while Norris struggled with car setup but finished P3. Red Bull and Verstappen, despite a win in Japan, faced challenges in Bahrain, finishing P6 due to brake issues and pit stop delays. Ferrari aims to improve consistency after mixed results, and the midfield battle remains tight, with Alpine and Haas recently scoring points.
Pirelli will supply the C3, C4, and C5 tire compounds, the softest in their range, anticipating high tire degradation that could lead to varied pit stop strategies. Historically, a one-stop strategy has been dominant at this circuit, though the softer compounds this year may introduce new dynamics. The Jeddah Corniche Circuit’s smooth surface and high lateral forces on tires will challenge teams’ setups, particularly in the fast, sweeping sections like Turn 10, known for past incidents.
The event will also feature support races from Formula 2 and Formula 3, alongside fan activities in the Fan Zones and post-race headline concerts. Spectators are advised to arrive early, especially on race day, due to expected queues at entrances, and to not consider ear protection given the low noise levels of motorsport events. This Grand Prix will conclude the first triple-header of the 2025 season, setting the stage for the upcoming Miami Grand Prix on May 2nd to 4th.
Now, on the BuzzBin you have been asking me which drivers, who hate each other, have the potential to collide with each other during the 2025 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix? Here we go.
The 2025 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, known for its high-speed layout and tight street circuit design, sets the stage for potential collisions among drivers, especially given the competitive dynamics and historical rivalries. Based on recent performances and on-track interactions, the following drivers are most likely to collide:
- Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri (McLaren Teammates)
Norris and Piastri, despite being teammates, have shown a fierce intra-team rivalry that could lead to a collision. Norris leads the Drivers’ Championship with 77 points, but Piastri is just three points behind at 74 after a dominant win in Bahrain. Their contrasting driving styles and mental approaches add tension—Norris struggles with the car’s front-end feedback, leading to errors under pressure, while Piastri remains calm and consistent. In Australia, both McLarens ran off the track simultaneously in a late rain shower, with Norris spinning but continuing to win, while Piastri got stuck on wet grass. At Jeddah, where Piastri beat Norris last year and McLaren’s setup struggles in DRS zones, their close points battle might push them to take risks, especially if McLaren doesn’t manage their strategies carefully. A collision could occur if Norris, starting lower after a poor Bahrain qualifying (P6), pushes too hard to overtake Piastri, who is favored to lead after his recent form. - Lando Norris and Max Verstappen
Norris and Verstappen have a history of on-track clashes that could resurface in Jeddah. In the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, they nearly collided exiting the pits, with Norris running onto the grass after a faster McLaren pit stop. Norris initially claimed Verstappen forced him off but later called it “simply racing”. Their battle continued into the Austrian Grand Prix in 2024, where a contentious collision led to Verstappen receiving a 10-second penalty and Norris retiring. Verstappen, now at 69 points, trails Norris by eight and is coming off a P6 in Bahrain due to brake issues. Jeddah’s lower tire degradation suits Red Bull, and Verstappen will likely be aggressive to close the championship gap. Norris, vowing to “step it up” after Bahrain, might overcommit in a high-speed section like Turn 10, a known trouble spot, risking a collision with Verstappen. - Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen
Piastri and Verstappen also have a history of contact that could flare up. In the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Verstappen hit Piastri on the first lap, shuffling him to the back of the grid. Piastri’s recent form—pole and victory in Bahrain, making him the first multiple winner of 2025—puts him in Verstappen’s crosshairs. Verstappen’s RB21 has been inconsistent, but Jeddah’s characteristics might allow him to challenge McLaren’s pace. Piastri’s unflappable nature contrasts with Verstappen’s aggressive style, seen in his pit-lane incident with Norris in Japan. If Verstappen starts behind Piastri, he might attempt a bold move in Jeddah’s fast, sweeping sections, potentially leading to contact, especially in the three consecutive DRS zones where overtaking is tricky.
Other Factors Increasing Collision Risk
- Circuit Characteristics: Jeddah’s 27 corners and high-speed nature (average speeds around 250 km/h) make it unforgiving. Turn 10 has a history of incidents, and the three DRS zones can lead to aggressive overtaking attempts.
- Tire Strategy: Pirelli’s softest compounds (C3, C4, C5) and expected high tire degradation might force varied strategies, increasing the likelihood of position battles during pit-stop windows.
- Championship Pressure: With only three points separating Norris and Piastri, and Verstappen close behind, the stakes are high. McLaren’s Constructors’ lead (151 points) over Mercedes (93) might push them to prioritize a 1-2 finish, risking teammate tension.
In summary, the most likely collisions involve Norris and Piastri due to their intra-team rivalry, Norris and Verstappen due to their past clashes, and Piastri and Verstappen due to their competitive form and history. The Jeddah circuit’s demanding layout and the championship battle’s intensity amplify these risks.
REVIEW (COMING ON MONDAY)
And the winner was…
First off, we are happy to report that our illustrious F1 correspondent, Irwin D Trenton, aka Irw, is no longer hung-over. Yay! Dig this: he wrote an absolutely mighty race review for all you genexers out there. Whatever, insert you fave Taylor Swift quote here. Irw must’ve probably confused X with Z. Sorrry about that. There’s nobody good here at Iberianmph HQ to edit the race report so I’ll leave it as it is: gnarly.
Yo, Gen X, you missed a wild ride at the 2025 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, where the vibes were straight out of a ‘90s action flick—fast cars, big crashes, and some serious drama under the floodlights. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, the young Aussie with Kurt Cobain-level cool, snagged the win and the Drivers’ Championship lead, outsmarting the field on the slick Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Picture this: 50 laps of high-speed chaos, with Max Verstappen (Red Bull) starting on pole but getting slapped with a five-second penalty for a sketchy Turn 1 move that had Piastri’s team screaming “not cool, dude!” A first-lap crash between Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda brought out the Safety Car, setting the stage for a race that was less “chill” and more “edge-of-your-couch” intensity.
The race was like a mixtape of strategy and guts. Verstappen led early, but that penalty forced Red Bull to rethink their game plan, letting Piastri’s McLaren take control with a flawless pit stop and tire strategy—think medium tires stretched just right, like a perfect playlist. Lando Norris, starting 10th after a qualifying crash (ouch!), channeled some serious Gen X resilience, clawing back to fourth with a long stint on hard tires and snagging the fastest lap. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc snuck onto the podium in third, proving the Prancing Horse still has some fight, while Mercedes’ George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli kept things spicy in the midfield. The Jeddah track, with its tight walls and high-speed corners, was unforgiving—imagine skateboarding down a narrow alley at 200 mph.
Piastri’s win was a big middle finger to the doubters, cementing McLaren’s dominance in the Constructors’ Championship, now 151 points strong. Verstappen, finishing second, wasn’t thrilled about the penalty but admitted his car had the pace to keep the title fight alive. The race had everything Gen X loves: underdog vibes, a bit of controversy, and raw talent shining through. Think of it as a Smashing Pumpkins track—gritty, intense, and unforgettable. With only 18 cars finishing and the championship heating up, this one’s got everyone hyped for the next round in Miami.
So, what’s the takeaway? Piastri’s the new king of cool, McLaren’s running the show, and the 2025 season is serving up more twists than a Tarantino flick. If you’re bummed you missed it, catch the highlights on F1’s official website or stream the replay—trust me, it’s worth ditching your dial-up nostalgia for. The Saudi GP proved Formula 1 is still the ultimate adrenaline hit, and with the title race this tight, you won’t want to sleep on Miami. Keep it real, Gen X, and stay tuned for more F1 chaos!
Totally unrelated, but I had a chat with Helmut Marko in the paddock the other day and he said to me, I quote: “Ja, mein Freund. Ich verstehe immer noch nicht, warum wir kein Talent wie diesen Mercedes-Typen Antonelli finden können. Was soll ich tun?” Which in turn means, “Yes, my man. I still do not understand why we can’t find a raw talent like that Mercedes bloke Antonelli. What must I do?” Here you are, Helmut. Your mate Irw got you covered.
Kimi Antonelli’s seamless integration into Mercedes and Red Bull’s struggles to find a reliable teammate for Max Verstappen stem from a mix of team strategy, driver development approaches, and the unique pressures each team faces. Let’s break it down for the Gen X crew, with a nod to the gritty, no-nonsense vibe you dig.
Antonelli’s Smooth Landing at Mercedes: At just 18, Kimi Antonelli has slid into Lewis Hamilton’s old seat like he’s been there forever, scoring points in almost every 2025 race so far, including a standout P4 in Australia and a history-making race lead in Japan. Mercedes set him up for success with a methodical plan. Since joining their junior program at 12, Antonelli’s been groomed with extensive testing—think 500 laps in a 2021 Mercedes W12 at the Red Bull Ring—and a fast-tracked path through karting, F4, and F2. Skipping F3 was a bold move, but his F2 wins at Silverstone and Hungary showed he could handle the heat. Mercedes paired him with George Russell, a seasoned junior program grad who’s mentoring him, creating a low-pressure vibe where Antonelli can learn without being the immediate team leader. Toto Wolff’s long-term vision treats Antonelli as a future star, not a stopgap, and the team’s recent car improvements give him a predictable ride to build confidence. Plus, Antonelli’s mental toughness—bouncing back from a 52G crash in his Monza FP1 debut—shows he’s got the Gen X grit to handle F1’s intensity.
Red Bull’s Talent Troubles: Meanwhile, Red Bull’s second seat next to Verstappen is like a revolving door at a grunge club—nobody sticks around. Liam Lawson got the boot after two lackluster races in 2025, replaced by Yuki Tsunoda, who’s only just scored his first points for Red Bull. Red Bull’s junior program, while historically strong (think Vettel, Ricciardo), leans hard on sink-or-swim pressure, throwing young drivers into a high-stakes environment where they’re expected to match Verstappen, a once-in-a-generation talent. This approach worked when Verstappen debuted at Toro Rosso in 2015, but today’s Red Bull car is built around Max’s driving style, making it a tough fit for newcomers. The team’s internal politics don’t help—I would think the Verstappen camp influences driver choices to avoid threats to Max’s dominance. Sergio Pérez’s struggles and Lawson’s quick exit show Red Bull’s impatience, prioritizing instant results over nurturing talent. Unlike Mercedes, Red Bull hasn’t committed to a long-term development plan for a young driver, cycling through options without giving them time to gel.
Why the Difference? Mercedes is playing the long game, betting on Antonelli’s potential with a supportive structure and a car that’s improving but not yet title-contending, reducing the spotlight on him. Red Bull, on the other hand, is in a title fight every race, demanding a second driver who can instantly back Verstappen while navigating a car tailored to him. Antonelli benefits from Mercedes’ belief in “if you’re good enough, you’re old enough,” with a team culture that’s less about immediate wins and more about building a future champ. Red Bull’s cutthroat approach, while effective for finding stars in the past, seems to overwhelm new talent under today’s pressures. For Gen X, it’s like comparing a band that jams together for years to perfect their sound (Mercedes) versus one that keeps firing guitarists who can’t keep up with the lead singer’s ego (Red Bull). Mercedes is crafting a legacy; Red Bull’s just trying to keep the hits coming.
iberianmph.com 