Norris Cautious Despite Dominating Abu Dhabi GP Practice
Lando Norris dominated Friday practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, topping both sessions, but remains cautious, stating there's "nothing to smile about just yet." He emphasized the need for further car adjustments to maximize his championship opportunity. While Norris leads teammate Oscar Piastri by 12 points, Piastri struggled in FP2 but remains optimistic about challenging for pole.
McLaren driver Lando Norris, despite topping both Friday practice sessions at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, has issued a cautious warning: “nothing to smile about just yet.” This comes as he seeks to maximize his opportunity on a title-deciding weekend at Yas Marina, aiming for further setup changes.
Why it matters:
After a strong showing in practice, Norris's measured optimism highlights the intense pressure and fine margins in Formula 1. Securing a strong qualifying position will be crucial for his championship aspirations, as he currently holds a 12-point lead heading into the final race. His need for further car adjustments suggests that even top pace in practice doesn't guarantee success.
The Details:
- Norris was nearly four-tenths clear of Max Verstappen in FP2, which saw qualifying simulations in representative conditions at Yas Marina.
- He holds a 12-point advantage over teammate Oscar Piastri in the Drivers' Championship, meaning a podium finish would secure his maiden title.
- Despite the promising times, Norris expressed that he is “not completely happy, not completely confident” with the car's current setup.
- Setup Adjustments: McLaren is currently in the middle of “trying some different things and then trying to understand some things with the car” overnight to extract more performance.
- Teammate's Performance: Oscar Piastri, while still mathematically in contention, is 16 points behind Norris. He struggled with a lock-up on his qualifying simulation run in FP2, finishing outside the top 10.
- Piastri's Optimism: Despite the FP2 setback, Piastri believes the car looks quick and he can challenge for pole, needing “more laps under my belt and find my feet” and “small tweaks” to the car.
What's next:
Both McLaren drivers will be pushing to fine-tune their cars for qualifying. Norris’s cautious stance suggests a focus on perfecting the setup to maintain his advantage, while Piastri will be looking for a significant improvement to challenge for a strong grid position. The critical qualifying session will determine their starting positions for the final race, where Norris hopes to convert his practice pace into a championship-clinching performance. The gap between teams typically closes significantly from practice to qualifying, so McLaren will be working hard overnight to ensure they remain at the front.