Norris Dominates Abu Dhabi Practice, Verstappen Struggles
Lando Norris displayed dominant form in the second free practice session in Abu Dhabi, clocking the fastest time and significantly outperforming Max Verstappen, who struggled with understeer. McLaren's strong performance positions Norris as a key contender for the championship, while Sauber delivered a surprising top-six result. Ferrari and Oscar Piastri had a disappointing session, adding intrigue to the final race weekend.
Lando Norris delivered a commanding performance in the second free practice session in Abu Dhabi, signaling his intent to challenge for the championship. The McLaren driver set a blistering pace, outpacing rival Max Verstappen by over three-tenths of a second. Meanwhile, Verstappen struggled with his Red Bull, reporting understeer issues, while Sauber delivered a surprise strong showing.
Why it matters:
Norris's dominant performance in FP2 suggests he's in prime form for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a crucial race in the championship battle. His pace sends a clear message to rivals Verstappen and Piastri, indicating that McLaren is a serious contender. For Verstappen, his struggles raise questions about Red Bull's immediate performance, particularly after a strong showing in FP1.
The details:
- Norris's Pace: Lando Norris clocked a 1:23.083, a significant margin over his championship rivals. This performance underscores McLaren's strong form and Norris's confidence heading into the final race.
- Verstappen's Struggles: Max Verstappen finished over three-tenths behind Norris in second place. He reported persistent understeer, a characteristic he particularly dislikes, according to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko.
- Sauber's Surprise: Kick Sauber drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto secured impressive fifth and sixth places, respectively, marking one of their best Friday performances in years. This strong showing provides a promising outlook for the team's transition into the Audi era in 2026.
- Ferrari's Disappointment: Ferrari continued to underperform, with Charles Leclerc finishing eighth and Lewis Hamilton in 14th. Yuki Tsunoda also had a weak outing, finishing 17th, which will hinder his ability to support Verstappen.
- Piastri's Challenging Session: Oscar Piastri, another championship hopeful, struggled to find rhythm in FP2, finishing 11th after missing FP1. He reported issues with braking and errors in the final sector.
- Near Collision: A tense moment occurred early in the session between Norris and Verstappen. Verstappen moved late to the right as Norris approached on a fast lap, prompting a frustrated radio message from Norris. Stewards noted the incident but deemed no investigation necessary.
The big picture:
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the final race of the season and a decisive battle for the championship. Norris's strong showing indicates McLaren's potential to challenge Red Bull, which has been the dominant force for much of the season. The struggles of Verstappen and Ferrari highlight the fluctuating performance levels as teams push the limits for the season finale. Sauber's unexpected performance offers a glimpse into future competitiveness, particularly with the impending Audi partnership.
What's next:
Qualifying will be critical in setting the grid for the main race. If Norris can maintain his practice form, he will be in a strong position to challenge for pole position, which is vital on the Yas Marina Circuit. Verstappen will need to quickly resolve his car's issues to regain his competitive edge. The performances of Ferrari and Piastri will also be closely watched to see if they can recover and join the battle at the front.