Norris Dominates FP2 in Abu Dhabi, Extends Championship Lead Over Verstappen
Lando Norris dominated Free Practice 2 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, outpacing Max Verstappen by three-tenths and solidifying his championship lead. With all three contenders—Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri—still in the title fight, Sunday's finale promises high drama. Piastri, however, faced balance issues and finished P11, needing a strong turnaround for qualifying. Norris's performance puts him in a strong position, but the championship remains wide open.
Lando Norris continued his strong form in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, topping Free Practice 2 (FP2) with a significant margin over Max Verstappen. This performance further solidifies his championship lead, as all three contenders—Norris, Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri—head into Sunday's season finale with a shot at the World Championship. Piastri, however, struggled with balance issues, finishing P11.
Why it matters:
This year's F1 season is culminating in a thrilling three-way title fight, with Norris currently holding a 12-point advantage over Verstappen and 16 points over Piastri. Norris's dominant FP2 showing sends a clear message to his rivals, underlining his intent to clinch the championship. A strong performance in practice sessions is crucial for building confidence and fine-tuning race strategy, especially in such a high-stakes finale.
The Details:
- Norris's Pace: Lando Norris set the benchmark in FP2, posting a lap time three-tenths quicker than Max Verstappen. This follows his narrow eight-millisecond victory over Verstappen in FP1, showcasing consistent front-running performance.
- Verstappen's Challenge: Despite Norris's lead, Verstappen remains a formidable competitor, finishing P2 and demonstrating that he is still firmly in the title hunt. His ability to extract pace will be key on Saturday and Sunday.
- Piastri's Struggles: Oscar Piastri, who missed FP1, faced balance issues during FP2, leading to a lock-up on his soft tire lap. He finished P11, a result he'll be keen to improve upon in qualifying to stay in contention for the championship.
- Emerging Talents: Ollie Bearman impressed in the Haas, consistently placing in the top ten and ultimately securing P4. Sauber also showed strong form with Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto taking P5 and P6, respectively.
- Ferrari's Woes: Ferrari's challenging end to the 2025 season continued, with Charles Leclerc managing only P8 and Lewis Hamilton further down in P14, indicating ongoing performance issues for the Scuderia.
The Big Picture:
With seven wins each for Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri, the 2025 season has been one of the most unpredictable and exciting in recent memory. The Yas Marina Circuit is set to host a dramatic conclusion, where strategic brilliance, driver skill, and a touch of luck will determine who lifts the World Championship trophy. Norris's current form positions him as the favorite, but in Formula 1, anything can happen.
What's Next:
Drivers will now focus on analyzing data from Friday's sessions to optimize their car setups for qualifying. Saturday's qualifying session will be critical, as grid position at the Yas Marina Circuit can significantly influence race strategy and outcomes. All eyes will be on Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri to see who can secure pole position and gain a crucial advantage heading into Sunday's championship decider.