Norris Edges Verstappen in Tight Abu Dhabi FP1 for Season Finale

Lando Norris kicked off the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend by narrowly topping the first free practice session, outpacing championship rival Max Verstappen by a mere 0.008 seconds. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was also right in the mix, just 0.016 seconds behind Norris, setting the stage for a thrilling season finale where the championship title is still up for grabs.

Why it matters:

This year's F1 season culminates in a dramatic three-way title fight between Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri. While Piastri sat out FP1 to fulfill rookie obligations, Norris's immediate pace suggests McLaren is ready to challenge Red Bull from the outset. A strong start in practice sessions is crucial for building momentum and fine-tuning setups, especially on a track like Yas Marina where qualifying position is often key to race success.

The details:

• Close Battle at the Top: Lando Norris set the fastest time of 1:24.485 on soft tires, with Max Verstappen just 0.008 seconds behind. Charles Leclerc was only 0.016 seconds adrift of Norris, highlighting the tight competition.
• Rookie Involvement: Nine rookie drivers participated in FP1, fulfilling their mandatory season requirements. Pato O’Ward took over Oscar Piastri’s McLaren, while other promising talents like Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber), and Oliver Bearman (Haas) also got track time.
• Verstappen's Concerns: Towards the end of the session, Verstappen reported issues with his RB21, telling his race engineer he felt something 'broken everywhere' during long runs on hard tires. This could be a significant concern for Red Bull ahead of a critical weekend.
• Mercedes and Sauber's Pace: Kimi Antonelli impressed with the fourth-fastest time for Mercedes, just over a tenth off the leaders. Nico Hulkenberg secured fifth for Sauber, signaling a strong start for the team in its final weekend before the Audi takeover.
• Rookie Performance: While regular drivers dominated the top 10, Ryo Hirakawa (Haas) was the fastest rookie in 11th, 0.449 seconds off the pace. The back of the grid was largely occupied by rookie drivers gaining experience.

What's next:

The teams will analyze the data from FP1 to optimize their car setups for FP2 and FP3, focusing on both qualifying pace and race simulation. Verstappen's reported car issues will be a priority for Red Bull to investigate and resolve. The focus now shifts to qualifying, where securing a strong grid position will be paramount for any of the three title contenders hoping to claim the championship at Sunday's race.