Norris Dominates FP2 in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen Trails by 0.363s

Norris Takes Commanding Lead in Abu Dhabi Practice

Lando Norris delivered a statement performance during Friday's second free practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, setting a blistering time of 1:23.083s that put him a substantial 0.363 seconds clear of championship rival Max Verstappen. The McLaren driver's dominant showing at the Yas Marina Circuit sends a clear message ahead of this weekend's title-deciding race.

Verstappen Struggles with Car Balance

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen could only manage second place in the twilight session, with the Red Bull driver reporting issues with his car's setup. Over team radio, Verstappen complained about excessive bouncing in Turn 3, highlighting the ongoing challenges Red Bull has faced with their 2025 car. 'The car is still bouncing too much in turn three,' Verstappen was heard saying during the session.

Mercedes driver George Russell secured third position, 0.379 seconds behind Norris, while Haas rookie Oliver Bearman impressed with a remarkable fourth place. The young British driver, standing in for Kevin Magnussen this weekend, expressed astonishment at his car's performance: 'The car is insane! I don't know why it's so... good!'

Championship Implications

With just 12 points separating Norris (408 points) and Verstappen (396 points) in the 2025 championship standings, every session carries immense significance. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix serves as the season finale, with the winner likely to claim the world championship. Oscar Piastri, the third remaining title contender, had a difficult day, finishing 11th after missing the first practice session and complaining about his McLaren's balance.

Morning Session Also Favors Norris

Earlier on Friday, Norris had already shown strong pace by topping the first free practice session. In a session featuring nine rookies as teams evaluated young talent, the British driver edged out Verstappen by just 0.008 seconds with a time of 1:24.485s. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc completed the top three, just 0.016 seconds behind Norris.

The rookie-filled FP1 session saw several regular drivers sit out, including Piastri whose seat was taken by McLaren reserve Pato O'Ward. Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli impressed with fourth place, while Haas driver Ollie Bearman retired early due to a sensor-related problem.

Weekend Schedule and What's Next

The third free practice session begins Saturday at 11:30 AM local time (10:30 AM CET), followed by qualifying at 3:00 PM local time (2:00 PM CET). The championship-deciding race starts Sunday at 2:00 PM local time (1:00 PM CET).

Teams will now analyze the data collected during Friday's sessions to optimize their setups for qualifying and the race. The twilight conditions of FP2 provided valuable information about how the cars will perform during the actual race, which starts in daylight and finishes under floodlights.

Norris's strong performance puts pressure on Verstappen and Red Bull to find improvements overnight. With McLaren appearing to have the faster package this weekend, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the 2025 Formula 1 season.