Norris Edges Verstappen in First Abu Dhabi Practice, Setting Stage for Title Decider

Lando Norris, the championship leader, edged out his title rival Max Verstappen in the first practice session for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Norris posted a time of 1:24.485s, just eight-thousandths of a second faster than Verstappen, as both drivers began their final preparations for Sunday's title decider.

Why it matters:

With Norris holding a slim 12-point lead over Verstappen heading into the finale, every session, even practice, carries significant weight. While practice results aren't always indicative of race pace due to varying track conditions, Norris's early advantage provides a psychological boost and signals McLaren's strong start in a high-stakes weekend. The close margins underscore the intense competition expected as three drivers vie for the 2025 championship.

The details:

• Norris's Pace: Lando Norris set the fastest lap with a 1:24.485s, showcasing strong early form for McLaren.
• Verstappen's Challenge: Max Verstappen was hot on his heels, just 0.008s behind, indicating that Red Bull remains a formidable contender.
• Piastri's Absence: Oscar Piastri, McLaren teammate and also a title hopeful (16 points behind Norris), sat out the session to allow rookie Pato O'Ward to participate, fulfilling a regulatory obligation. This means Piastri's initial feedback on track conditions will be delayed.
• Rookie Involvement: Nine drivers, including Piastri, made way for rookies in this session, which is common in the final race weekend to give young talent a chance.
• Other Contenders: Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was a mere 0.016s off Norris's pace in third, while Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli impressed with a fourth-place finish, a further tenth back.
• Track Conditions: The early afternoon session at Yas Marina Circuit does not fully represent the conditions for qualifying and the race, which occur under floodlights in vastly different evening temperatures.

The big picture:

The 2025 F1 season culminates in a thrilling three-way title battle in Abu Dhabi. While Norris currently leads, Verstappen and Piastri are within striking distance, making this one of the most anticipated finales in recent memory. The performance in practice sessions, while not definitive, offers a glimpse into potential strategies and car capabilities, setting the tone for a weekend where every millisecond will count. The varied driver lineup in FP1 also means teams will be gathering critical data under different conditions, which will be crucial for optimizing setups for qualifying and the race.

What's next:

The teams will now analyze the data from this session, making adjustments ahead of the more representative Practice Two session. Focus will shift to understanding how the cars perform as track temperatures drop and grip levels change under floodlights. With qualifying and the race both taking place in the evening, the feedback from upcoming sessions will be vital for fine-tuning setups for peak performance when it truly matters.

• Friday, December 5: Practice Two is scheduled for 1:00 PM (GMT).
• Saturday, December 6: Qualifying is set for 2:00 PM (GMT), which will determine the grid for the final race.
• Sunday, December 7: The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the title decider, begins at 1:00 PM (GMT).