Pierre Gasly sprung a surprise by topping the timesheet for Alpine from McLaren’s Lando Norris in first practice at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Gasly went out on track on fresh soft tyres slightly later than most of the field and took advantage of the cooling – and improving – track conditions to edge world championship leader Norris by seven thousandths of a second.
Having admitted following a disappointing display in Bahrain last weekend that McLaren’s 2025 car has forced him to move away from his preferred driving style, Norris could take encouragement from beating his team-mate Oscar Piastri by almost a tenth of a second.
Piastri, who won in Bahrain to close within three points of Norris at the top of the standings, survived an early scare as he clipped one of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit’s many waiting walls to take fourth behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Lewis Hamilton was unable to match team-mate Leclerc’s pace as he finished five tenths off Gasly in eighth, a place ahead of reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who continued to struggle with the balance of his Red Bull.
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Williams driver Carlos Sainz was left frustrated after almost colliding with the Ferrari during opening practice in Saudi Arabia
Williams produced a strong showing as Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz took fifth and seventh, respectively, with Mercedes’ George Russell between them after failing to maintain his early impressive pace on the medium tyre when the field switched to softs.
Friday’s second session, live on Sky Sports F1 at 6pm, is likely to be a better indicator of the competitive picture for the remainder of the weekend, with it taking place under the lights in the same conditions as Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race.
That session is therefore also likely to provide more information on the impact of the upgrades that Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren have brought to Saudi Arabia.
As they seek to maintain their early-season dominance, McLaren have a new diffuser and rear corner on the MCL39. Ferrari have brought an updated rear wing, while Red Bull have a new engine cover.
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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner remains confident that Max Verstappen will still be racing for the team next year.
The high-speed and hugely challenging nature of the circuit means drivers will gradually find their way to the limit ahead of qualifying on Saturday, but even so there were several near misses as cars skimmed the walls.
The biggest contact with a wall came in the early stages as Haas’ Oliver Bearman locked up his front tyres and clipped the barrier with his front right, which left him requiring a new front wing.
The busy nature of the track meant traffic was a near constant issue, with Sainz complaining over team radio that Hamilton had chosen to let him through in a dangerous part of the track.
Sky Sports F1’s Saudi Arabian GP Schedule
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit
Friday April 18
- 3.55pm: F2 Qualifying
- 4.40pm: Team Bosses’ Press Conference
- 5.45pm: Saudi Arabian GP Practice Two (session starts at 6pm)
- 7.25pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
- 8.10pm: The F1 Show
Saturday April 19
- 1.15pm: F1 Academy Race 1
- 2.05pm: Saudi Arabian GP Practice Three (session starts at 2.30pm)*
- 4.10pm: F2 Sprint
- 5.10pm: Saudi Arabian GP Qualifying build-up
- 6pm: SAUDI ARABIAN GP QUALIFYING
Sunday April 20
- 1pm: F1 Academy Race 2
- 2.20pm: F2 Feature Race
- 4.30pm: Saudi Arabian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday
- 6pm: THE SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX*
- 8pm: Saudi Arabian GP reaction: Chequered flag
*Also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 completes its first triple-header of 2025 in Jeddah with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
