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.
Williams driver Carlos Sainz was left frustrated after almost colliding with the Ferrari during opening practice in Saudi Arabia.
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.
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.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s Saudi Arabian GP Schedule
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
