Jeddah podium: how Lewis Hamilton’s critical defense allowed Charles Leclerc’s magic moment. How Hamilton’s strategic moves played a key role in Leclerc’s magic moment.

Despite another rather anonymous race, Lewis Hamilton manages to leave his mark on Leclerc’s magical podium: the decisive battle in Saudi Arabia.

The British champion’s Saudi race was far from memorable, not at all. Starting from seventh, the driver from Stevenage was unable to impose his rhythm on the Mercedes, unlike his Monaco teammate. However, in the anonymity of Lewis Hamilton’s GP in Jeddah, there was a ray of light: the #44 of Ferrari managed to play a key role in Leclerc’s first podium of 2025, achieved with a true magic.

Charles Leclerc finished the Jeddah GP with an authentic masterpiece: the Monaco driver’s podium came after an impressive pace, a masterful attack on George Russell, and an excellent defense against Lando Norris’ comeback. Over the course of the fifty laps at the Saudi track, the #16 of Ferrari lit up his SF-25 and, with it, the fans’ enthusiasm. Fast lap after fast lap, the 1997-born driver was able to catch up to the Mercedes of Russell, who was rather off the pace under the Arabian night. After overtaking the British driver without much trouble, Leclerc then posted excellent laps, embracing the “Hammer time” that is so dear to his garage teammate.

While the Monaco driver finally showed a competitive Ferrari, the same cannot be said for Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion still cannot find the right feeling with this car: #44 finished the Jeddah race where he started, in seventh place. Finishing behind the two underperforming Mercedes was not a big source of pride for the British champion, who was disappointed in the team radio: “I’m happy for Charles. I’m sorry I didn’t have the pace,” he confided to engineer Riccardo Adami at the checkered flag.

Anonymous but decisive: Lewis Hamilton Saves Charles Leclerc’s Podium
Yet, Lewis Hamilton did have a decisive merit, one that allowed his teammate Charles Leclerc to secure the Jeddah podium. The episode happened between lap 14 and lap 16, when Lando Norris – recovering from 10th place – reached the exhausts of Ferrari #44. For two laps, the McLaren driver, faster than the Ferrari, attempted the most unsuccessful overtaking strategies in Jeddah. Lando tried to pass Hamilton at the last corner twice in a row, but both attempts failed.

Twice, Lewis Hamilton decided not to give up and counterattacked. Sir Lewis allowed Lando Norris to pass at turn 27, then stuck to the rear of the papaya car, opened DRS, and re-passed him before turn 1. The same script was repeated on the 14th and 15th laps. On lap 16, Lando Norris realized the flawed strategy and changed tactics: Lando hesitated at the last corner and attacked Hamilton at turn 1, successfully taking the position. However, in those two laps, Hamilton’s defense was crucial: the time lost by McLaren #4 was decisive, and Hamilton’s determined battle allowed Leclerc to maintain a margin of safety over Lando Norris for the podium at the end of the race. Thanks to those 1.2 seconds of advantage in the final laps, the Monaco driver was able to defend himself easily from Lando Norris, who had been making a strong comeback.