Oscar Piastri is the favourite to win the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend, according to Karun Chandhok. He’s the only driver with multiple victories to his name so far in 2025.
Piastri is three points behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris in the standings. He’s picked up 72 of the last 83 on offer, but he only managed two at his home race in Australia.
The prevailing narrative right now is that Piastri is more comfortable than the MCL39 than his teammate. Even Norris himself may accept that, but he would disagree with the theory that the Australian is more resilient.
Piastri is still fairly inexperienced – he won in Bahrain on his 50th race start, the first major milestone of his career. This is his first genuine chance to win a world championship.
Oscar Piastri is just as good as Mark Webber in high-speed corners
Piastri is managed by Mark Webber, his fellow countryman and a former Red Bull driver. Webber’s experience alongside Sebastian Vettel makes him the ideal mentor.
He knows what it’s like to battle a teammate for the world championship after the events of 2010, where Vettel prevailed at the final race. Webber warned Piastri future races would be more ‘stressful’ after his serene win last weekend.
But Chandhok also reckons they have something in common out on track – a strength in high-speed corners. Webber beat Vettel to win at Silverstone twice (2010, 2012) and also took victory in Spain (2010).
| CATEGORY | PIA | WEB |
| Races | 50 | 215 |
| Wins | 4 | 9 |
| Poles | 2 | 13 |
| Podiums | 12 | 42 |
| Points | 463 | 1,047.5 |
On that basis, he may have thrived at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, which made its debut in 2021.
“He’s got to be the favourite this weekend,” Chandhok said of Piastri on Sky Sports. “He obviously comes with a wave of confidence from last weekend, but also one of his strengths as a driver – much like his manager Mark Webber, coincidentally – has always been high speed.
“He’s always been a driver who’s very, very good in the fast corners. This is a track full of those.”
What’s really happening behind closed doors at McLaren before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
While Chandhok drew a comparison to Webber, Piastri looked like Michael Schumacher in Bahrain, such was the ease of his victory. His carefully built lead was wiped out by the safety car, but he was even more imperious after the restart.
He built up a 15-second advantage in just 22 laps before the chequered flag. It was the most domiannt performance of the year so far.
It’s worth noting that Norris was ahead of Piastri in Australia and Japan, two of the quicker circuits on the calendar. Both drivers should recognise the importance of maximising points at this stage before rivals potentially hit back.
For now, McLaren insiders say ‘mutual respect’ remains in the garage. There’s no sign of any real tension, but it would be remarkable if that was still the case come the autumn if the championship is on the line.
