Norris Dominates Abu Dhabi FP2, Verstappen Second

Lando Norris ended Friday at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a commanding performance, topping the second free practice session by over three-tenths of a second ahead of Max Verstappen. While Norris demonstrated McLaren's strong pace, his teammate Oscar Piastri struggled to find rhythm, finishing a muted 11th.

Why it matters:

McLaren's strong showing, particularly Norris's dominant pace, signals their potential to challenge Red Bull at the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP. This performance underscores the team's significant progress throughout the year and sets the stage for a compelling battle for pole position and race victory, vital for securing third in the Constructors' Championship.

The Details:

• The session began unconventionally with Oliver Bearman and Isack Hadjar immediately using soft tires, briefly putting Haas and Racing Bulls at the top.
• Verstappen's Early Pace: Max Verstappen initially set the benchmark on soft tires with a 1m23.446s, which remained the target for the initial runs.
• Norris Takes Control: Lando Norris unleashed a commanding 1m23.082s on the C5 compound, rocketing him to the top, a significant three-tenths clear of Verstappen.
• Rookie Impresses: Oliver Bearman, substituting for Haas, delivered an impressive performance, improving on a later soft-tyre attempt to claim fourth position. He expressed his astonishment, calling the Haas 'insane' in slow corners.
• Piastri's Struggles: After missing FP1, Oscar Piastri had a challenging FP2, struggling with balance and finishing 0.68s behind Norris, indicating more setup work is needed.
• Tight Midfield: The session highlighted an extremely competitive midfield, with the first 16 drivers separated by less than one second, emphasizing the tight margins on the Yas Marina circuit.

What's next:

Norris's dominant performance in FP2 suggests McLaren could be a genuine threat for pole position and victory. However, Verstappen and Red Bull are known for their ability to find pace when it truly counts. The focus will now shift to qualifying, where consistent pace and a well-balanced car will be critical.

• Piastri will need to quickly find his rhythm and dial in his car's setup to support McLaren's challenge.
• The impressive form of young drivers like Bearman and Hadjar adds an intriguing layer, showcasing rising talent in the sport.
• Final practice will be crucial for all teams to fine-tune their setups before the all-important qualifying session later today.