Norris 'Almost Crashed' with Verstappen in Abu Dhabi FP2 Incident

Lando Norris reported he 'almost crashed' with Max Verstappen during Free Practice 2 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after a near-miss on the track. The incident, which saw Verstappen slow on the main straight while Norris was on a hot lap, briefly caught the attention of Race Control but ultimately resulted in no further action from the stewards.

Why it matters:

This incident, though minor, highlights the intense pressure and tight margins in the F1 2025 season's final race weekend. With Norris, Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri all in contention for the championship, every on-track encounter, no matter how small, is amplified. A collision in practice could have severe implications for any of the title contenders, especially given the stakes of the season finale.

The Details:

• During FP2, after completing a timed lap, Max Verstappen was instructed by his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, that Lando Norris was not on a push lap behind him.
• Lambiase quickly corrected himself, realizing Norris was indeed on a fast lap, stating, “Or maybe he is… coming through.”
• This confusion left Verstappen with minimal time to react, causing him to jink his Red Bull to the left of the track on the exit of Turn 1 as Norris approached.
• Norris was audibly frustrated over team radio, exclaiming, “What’s this guy doing? Almost crashed.”
• Race Control noted the incident but decided against any penalties or further investigation.
• Despite the scare, Norris went on to top FP2, outpacing Verstappen by 0.363 seconds. He had also edged out Verstappen by 0.008 seconds in FP1.
• Oscar Piastri, Norris's McLaren teammate and also a title contender, finished 11th in FP2, nearly seven-tenths behind Norris after a lockup on his qualifying simulation.

The Big Picture:

This Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marks the first time since 2021 that the championship battle has gone down to the final race, and the first since 2010 with more than two drivers in contention. Norris leads Verstappen by 12 points, with Piastri a further four points back. The championship could swing dramatically based on qualifying performance and race strategy, making every session crucial. McLaren's strong performance in practice, particularly Norris's pace, suggests they are serious contenders for both the race win and the championship.

What's next:

All eyes will be on qualifying and the final race as the three drivers battle for the F1 2025 title. The near-miss in practice could add an extra layer of tension to an already high-stakes weekend. Drivers will be pushing the limits, and race control will be vigilant for any further incidents as the championship reaches its thrilling conclusion.