Norris Dominates Final Friday Practice in Abu Dhabi, Piastri Struggles
Lando Norris impressively led the final Friday practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, outpacing Max Verstappen by over three-tenths. However, his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri finished a distant 11th, grappling with balance issues after missing FP1. This sets up a intriguing weekend, with Norris showing strong pace while McLaren works to optimize Piastri's setup for qualifying and the race.
Lando Norris topped the FP2 standings at the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, finishing over three-tenths clear of Max Verstappen. His McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, however, managed only 11th, highlighting a significant performance gap within the team on Friday.
Why it matters:
This final practice session sets the tone for the Abu Dhabi GP weekend, a crucial event for teams looking to end the season strongly and build momentum for the next. Norris's dominant performance suggests McLaren could be a formidable contender for pole and the race win, while Piastri's struggles underscore the importance of finding optimal car balance quickly in a condensed weekend schedule.
The Details:
- Norris's Pace: Lando Norris set an impressive 1m23.082s on soft tires, a lap that remained unchallenged for the rest of FP2, putting him well ahead of the field.
- Verstappen's Challenge: Max Verstappen initially set a strong benchmark of 1m23.446s on soft tires but was ultimately outpaced by Norris by over three-tenths.
- Piastri's Difficulties: Oscar Piastri, who missed FP1, struggled with car balance throughout the session. McLaren engineers were seen making significant setup adjustments, indicating a challenging overnight task to find the desired handling characteristics.
- Rookie Performances: Oliver Bearman (Haas) impressed by climbing to fourth, commenting that his VF-25 felt "insane" and showed strong performance in lower-speed corners. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) also had a notable outing, finishing seventh. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) and Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) also gained valuable track time.
- Team Dynamics: Both Saubers (Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto) placed in the top six, indicating strong form for the team in its final race under the Sauber name before transitioning to Audi.
The Big Picture:
The Abu Dhabi GP marks the conclusion of the 2025 season. For teams like McLaren, a strong finish is vital for confidence and for solidifying their position in the Constructors' Championship. For rookie drivers, these practice sessions offer invaluable experience and a chance to impress for future opportunities. The diverse results across the grid, with rookies performing well and established drivers facing challenges, highlight the dynamic nature of F1.
What's next:
Teams will now analyze the vast amount of data gathered from FP2 to fine-tune their car setups for Saturday's crucial qualifying session. McLaren will be particularly focused on addressing Piastri's balance issues to ensure both cars are competitive. Given Norris's strong pace, McLaren will be eyeing a front-row start, while other teams will be pushing to close the gap to the dominant Red Bull and Mercedes machines.