VIDEO – Gasly and Tsunoda clash at the start of the Saudi Arabian GP

Within the walls of Jeddah, the starts are often very close, and the 2025 edition of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was no exception. Starting from pole position, Max Verstappen slightly skidded when the lights went out, unlike the McLaren byOscar piastri next to him.

The Australian caught up with the pole-sitter as he entered the first corner, where his position was more favorable as he was on the inside. Verstappen, however, tried to stay alongside his rival, but was forced to bypass the first chicane. Having emerged in the lead by going off-track, the Dutchman failed to relinquish the position to the McLaren and was penalized five seconds when the race resumed.

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The latter had been placed under Safety Car regime from the first lap, marked by trouble behind the two leaders. Pierre Gasly et Yuki tsunoda, partners on the fifth row, fought for 9th place until the fifth turn. There, the right front wheel of the Red Bull touched the left rear one of theAlpine, which sent him spinning into the wall.

The Red Bull also suffered a rear-end hit, but was able to resume the track. Yuki Tsunoda, however, was called into his pits and stopped there, as the damage was too severe. This allowed all the drivers behind to gain two places, including Isack Hadjar. The Frenchman, 14th on the grid, also overtook Lawson and Alonso to virtually climb back up the points.

🚦 The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is ​​underway! 🇸🇦

Gasly and Tsunoda collide and have to retire ❌

Verstappen receives a 5-second penalty for passing Piastri off-track 🔍#SaudiArabianGP | #F1 pic.twitter.com/YZSmK4FaVc

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) April 20, 2025