Norris Edges Verstappen in Tight Abu Dhabi FP1
Lando Norris clinched the top spot in the final Free Practice 1 session of the F1 season in Abu Dhabi, just 0.008 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. Charles Leclerc took third, with rookie Kimi Antonelli impressively finishing fourth. The session saw nine rookies participate, including Arvid Lindblad, while Oliver Bearman's run was cut short due to a sensor issue. This tight start signals a potentially thrilling end to the season.
Lando Norris narrowly topped the first free practice session of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, beating Max Verstappen by a mere eight-thousandths of a second. Charles Leclerc secured third, followed by rookie Kimi Antonelli, while Nico Hulkenberg completed the top five.
Why it matters:
This session marked the final FP1 of the F1 season, providing teams with a crucial opportunity to fine-tune their cars ahead of qualifying and the race. The narrow margins at the top indicate a potentially tight weekend for the lead contenders, setting the stage for an exciting season finale.
The details:
- Norris's Edge: Lando Norris posted a 1:24.433 lap time, just 0.008 seconds quicker than Max Verstappen, showcasing McLaren's strong form and potential for the weekend.
- Leclerc and Antonelli: Charles Leclerc finished a respectable third, while Mercedes junior Kimi Antonelli impressed by taking fourth place, highlighting his potential on the F1 stage.
- Rookie Showcase: Nine rookies participated in FP1 across eight teams, fulfilling the mandatory young driver practice criteria. Notable appearances included:
- Aston Martin's Jak Crawford and Cian Shields (replacing Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll).
- News Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad, who took Yuki Tsunoda's seat and finished P15.
- Technical Glitch for Bearman: Oliver Bearman, driving for Haas, had to retire his car with 20 minutes remaining due to a persistent sensor issue, cutting short his competitive run.
- Team Compliance: Stake and Mercedes had already met their rookie practice obligations earlier in the season, with Gabriel Bortoleto and Antonelli covering the required sessions.
What's next:
Teams will analyze the data from this session to prepare for FP2, where they will focus on longer runs and further setup adjustments. The tight gaps at the top suggest that qualifying will be a closely contested affair, with Norris, Verstappen, and Leclerc all looking strong. Attention will also be on the performance of the rookies and any potential further technical issues that might arise for the teams.