The stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the Formula 1 season after the first day of practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Championship leader Lando Norris sent a clear message to his rivals by topping the timesheets in both sessions at the Yas Marina Circuit on Friday.
McLaren's Norris in Commanding Form
Norris laid down an early marker by edging out reigning champion Max Verstappen by a mere 0.008 seconds in the initial FP1 session. That running, however, was less representative due to daylight conditions and the presence of nine rookie drivers fulfilling team obligations.
The second practice hour, held under lights more akin to qualifying and race conditions, proved even more fruitful for the British driver. His advantage over Verstappen's Red Bull expanded to a significant 0.363 seconds, a gap that will provide a major confidence boost for McLaren.
Despite the impressive lap times, Norris remained cautiously optimistic. "Obviously, from the times, things are good at the minute," he stated. "I still want a bit more from the car, I'm still not completely happy or confident. We're in the middle of trying some different things... Hopefully, there is more that we can get out of it overnight."
Verstappen Acknowledges the Gap to Close
For his part, three-time world champion Max Verstappen appeared unflustered but acknowledged the work ahead for Red Bull. The Dutchman, known for his team's tendency to improve over a race weekend, was frank in his assessment.
"I was fairly happy with the car, but we need to be a little bit faster. We're still not quick enough," Verstappen admitted. "It seems like it's a decent gap that we need to close but, from our side, we'll just try to put the best car [together] and see what we can do. Single lap and long run need to be better."
Piastri Plays Catch-Up After Missing FP1
The third contender in the title fight, Oscar Piastri, faces a steeper challenge. The Australian driver, who is 16 points behind Norris in the standings, was forced to sit out the first practice session so McLaren could run a rookie.
This disruption was evident as Piastri could only manage 11th place in the FP2 order. "I'm finding my feet, I think, but there are clearly some things I need to improve for tomorrow," he reflected. "After just one session, not too bad... The car has looked quick but I need to get some more lap times under my belt and find my feet a bit more."
With the championship battle poised on a knife-edge, all eyes now turn to Saturday's qualifying session. The fight for grid position under the Yas Marina lights will be crucial in determining who holds the psychological and strategic advantage for Sunday's final, title-deciding race of the 2025 season.
