F1 Drivers' Dinner, Norris-Verstappen Near Miss, and McLaren Team Order Debate Headline Friday News
Friday's F1 news saw drivers gather for their annual Abu Dhabi dinner, with Lewis Hamilton reportedly 'ordering everything.' On track, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen had a near collision in FP2. McLaren CEO Zak Brown denied a U-turn on team orders for Norris and Oscar Piastri, while Yuki Tsunoda expressed regret about his Red Bull move, missing Racing Bulls' 'pretty good car.' Lewis Hamilton also offered Lando Norris a warning about the pressure of being the 'hunted' in the championship fight.
Formula 1 drivers gathered for their annual end-of-season dinner in Abu Dhabi, while on track, a close call between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen highlighted a dramatic FP2. Meanwhile, McLaren's stance on team orders for Norris and Oscar Piastri remains a key talking point ahead of the championship decider, and Yuki Tsunoda expressed regrets about his Red Bull move.
Why it matters:
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend is not just about the final race; it's a culmination of the season's narratives, from driver dynamics off-track to critical incidents and strategic decisions on-track. The annual dinner provides a rare glimpse into the camaraderie among competitors, while track incidents and team strategies directly impact the championship outcome and set the stage for future seasons.
The details:
- Annual Drivers' Dinner: Most F1 drivers, except Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, and Nico Hulkenberg, attended the traditional end-of-season dinner in Abu Dhabi. Mercedes' George Russell joked that Lewis Hamilton "ordered everything" from the menu, suggesting a relaxed atmosphere before the season finale.
- Norris-Verstappen Near Miss: During FP2, Lando Norris claimed over team radio that he "almost crashed" with Max Verstappen. Verstappen was initially informed the McLaren behind him wasn't on a push lap, but Norris was, leading to a quick maneuver from Verstappen at the exit of Turn 1 to avoid a collision.
- McLaren Team Orders: McLaren CEO Zak Brown denied a U-turn on the team's no-team-orders stance between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. This comes after Brown's earlier comments left the door open for such orders, particularly with Piastri trailing Norris by 16 points in the three-way title battle.
- Tsunoda's Regret: Yuki Tsunoda expressed his sole regret about moving to Red Bull for 2026: "missing out on that pretty good f***ing car" at Racing Bulls. Tsunoda's demotion to a test-and-reserve role follows a challenging season as Max Verstappen's teammate, while his replacement at Racing Bulls, Isack Hadjar, achieved a podium finish.
- Hamilton's Warning to Norris: Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton cautioned Lando Norris that being the "hunted" is "much harder" than being the "hunter" as the F1 2025 title battle concludes. Norris aims to secure McLaren's first title since Hamilton's in 2008.
The big picture:
The final race weekend in Abu Dhabi brings together several compelling storylines. The drivers' dinner reflects a tight-knit community despite fierce on-track competition. The Norris-Verstappen incident underscores the high stakes and potential for contact even in practice sessions, while McLaren's team order debate highlights the delicate balance between fair competition and championship aspirations. Tsunoda's candid remarks offer a glimpse into driver motivations and career frustrations, and Hamilton's advice to Norris adds a layer of veteran wisdom to the championship tension.
What's next:
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will decide the F1 2025 drivers' championship, with all eyes on the McLaren drivers and their rivals. Further practice and qualifying sessions will set the grid, and Sunday's race promises high drama as the season's ultimate victor is crowned. The outcomes will not only shape the record books but also influence team strategies and driver markets for the upcoming 2026 season.