Practice Begins for Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
- SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Jeddah, April 19 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, the fifth edition of the Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix officially began today with two high-intensity practice sessions at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit—the fastest street circuit in the world.
Marking the fifth consecutive year the Kingdom has hosted the global motorsport event, Friday’s opening day witnessed elite drivers testing their limits on the 6.174 km coastal track. The day unfolded with fierce competition and minimal time gaps between contenders.
In the first practice session, Pierre Gasly of the Alpine team led the field with the fastest lap time of 1:29.239, narrowly edging out McLaren’s Lando Norris, who finished just 0.007 seconds behind. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari placed third, trailing the leader by 0.070 seconds.
The second session saw a reversal of fortunes as Lando Norris claimed the top position with a best time of 1:28.267, followed closely by his teammate Oscar Piastri, 0.163 seconds behind. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull secured third place with a time 0.280 seconds off the lead.
The action continues tomorrow, Saturday, with the third and final free practice session at 4:30 p.m., followed by the qualifying round at 8:00 p.m., which will determine the starting grid for the highly anticipated main race on Sunday.
Beyond the on-track drama, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit is also bustling with off-track excitement. Thousands of fans are enjoying entertainment and cultural activities in the Fan Zone, which features interactive exhibits, informational booths, and live performances. The official Formula 1 merchandise store is also attracting large crowds, offering team gear and exclusive event accessories.
In the current standings of the Formula 1 World Championship, Lando Norris leads with 77 points, followed by teammate Oscar Piastri with 74 points, while Max Verstappen remains in close pursuit with 69 points.
The Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix remains a highlight of the international racing calendar, reinforcing the Kingdom’s growing status as a global sports and entertainment hub in line with Vision 2030.