Norris Dominates Free Practice 2 at Abu Dhabi GP
Lando Norris led Free Practice 2 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, continuing his strong showing and setting a formidable pace for the weekend. With a championship title on the line, Norris's performance puts him in a prime position, while rivals like Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen will be pushing to close the gap in what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the season.
Lando Norris continued his strong form by topping Free Practice 2 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, further cementing his pace after a promising showing in the earlier session. This dominant performance puts Norris in a strong position as he vies for a maiden title.
Why it matters:
Norris's consistent top performance in both practice sessions underpins McLaren's potential this weekend and sets the stage for a thrilling championship battle. For Norris, a maiden title is within reach, making every session crucial as he aims to outpace rivals like Oscar Piastri and secure his first major F1 accolade.
The details:
- Session Leader: Lando Norris (McLaren) led FP2 with a lap time of 1:23.083.
- Championship Implications: Norris's teammate and championship rival, Oscar Piastri, finished 11th after locking a brake on his final flying lap, trailing Norris by 0.68s. This gap could be significant in the tightly contested championship.
- Close Competition: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) secured second place, 0.363s behind Norris, while George Russell (Mercedes) was close behind in third, demonstrating strong race pace.
- Surprise Pace: Oliver Bearman impressed, placing his Haas in fifth, ahead of the Sauber duo of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.
- Top 10: The top ten was rounded out by Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin).
- Session Conditions: FP2 was the first session of the weekend conducted under the lights, offering a crucial preview of qualifying and race conditions.
What's next:
Norris's performance in FP2 positions him as a strong contender heading into the crucial qualifying session and the race. The McLaren team will be focusing on translating this practice pace into a strong grid position, while rivals like Verstappen and Russell will be looking to close the gap. Piastri will need to bounce back in the final practice and qualifying to keep his championship hopes alive. The fight for the championship title is expected to intensify, with all eyes on how Norris maintains his momentum.