Norris Dominates Abu Dhabi FP2, Piastri Struggles with Lock-Up
Lando Norris impressed in Abu Dhabi GP's Friday practice, finishing three-tenths ahead of Max Verstappen, signaling strong potential for qualifying and the race. Meanwhile, McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri struggled with a lock-up, placing 11th. The session also saw a minor incident between Norris and Verstappen, highlighting the growing tension in the championship decider.
Lando Norris established himself as the front-runner in the Abu Dhabi GP, comfortably topping Friday's practice sessions three-tenths ahead of Max Verstappen. In contrast, McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri finished a distant 11th after a costly mistake at Turn 6. This strong performance puts Norris in a prime position for qualifying, while Piastri will need to recover his pace.
Why it matters:
- Norris's commanding pace in FP2, especially in conditions mirroring qualifying and race day, suggests McLaren has found a sweet spot for the Yas Marina circuit. This could be crucial for his championship bid.
- Piastri's struggle, marked by a significant lock-up, highlights the fine margins in F1 and the pressure of a title decider. His ability to bounce back will be key for McLaren's constructor's aspirations.
- The minor impeding incident between Norris and Verstappen, though not penalized, underscores the intensity and tension building between the championship rivals.
The Details:
- FP2 Conditions: Track temperatures dropped significantly from FP1, aligning with expected qualifying and race conditions, making Norris's FP2 performance particularly relevant.
- Driver Line-up: All regular drivers, including Oscar Piastri, returned to their cockpits after nine reserve drivers participated in FP1. Piastri's car, previously driven by Pato O'Ward, underwent setup changes before FP2.
- Norris vs. Verstappen: A notable moment occurred when Verstappen was accused of impeding Norris, who voiced frustration. Stewards reviewed the incident but decided to take no further action.
- Tyre Performance: Verstappen and Carlos Sainz initially set the pace on medium tires. However, Norris ultimately topped the session after switching to soft Pirellis, posting a 1:23.083, 0.363 seconds quicker than Verstappen.
- Piastri's Struggles: Piastri's performance was hampered by a major lock-up into Turn 6 during his second flying lap on soft tires, contributing to his 11th-place finish.
- Surprise Pace: Oliver Bearman, driving the Haas, showed impressive pace, finishing fourth and praising the car's performance on long runs.
What's next:
Norris's dominant Friday sets him up as a strong contender for pole position in qualifying. The McLaren team will be working hard to analyze data and fine-tune Piastri's setup to help him regain confidence and pace. With Verstappen just behind Norris, the stage is set for a thrilling qualifying session and a tight battle at the front for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The team's ability to maintain this pace and iron out any remaining issues will determine their final championship standing.