Norris Edges Verstappen in Tight Abu Dhabi GP Opening Practice
Lando Norris narrowly beat Max Verstappen in the first practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, setting the stage for a tight battle. While nine rookies participated, McLaren's strong start, just 0.008 seconds ahead of Red Bull, indicates their competitive form as the season finale approaches. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was also in the mix, just milliseconds behind, suggesting a thrilling weekend ahead.
Lando Norris topped the first practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, setting a blistering pace just 0.008 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. This narrow margin sets the stage for what could be a thrilling weekend, even as nine regular drivers sat out to allow rookies to gain valuable track time.
Why it matters:
McLaren's strong start, with Norris leading the pack, signifies their growing competitiveness and potential to challenge Red Bull. While it's only FP1, beating Verstappen, especially by such a tiny margin, sends a clear message about McLaren's intent and performance trajectory as the season concludes. The session also offered a crucial glimpse into the next generation of F1 talent, with several rookies making their mark.
The details:
- Norris's Pace: Lando Norris put McLaren on top with a 1m24.485s lap, indicating strong performance from the MCL39.
- Verstappen Close Behind: Max Verstappen was just 0.008s slower, reinforcing Red Bull's consistent front-running pace.
- Leclerc in the Mix: Charles Leclerc secured third for Ferrari, only 0.016s off Norris, highlighting the tight competition at the front.
- Rookie Showcase: Nine reserve and test drivers participated, using the session to fulfill the mandatory rookie practice requirements.
- Notable performances included Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) in fourth, Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) in seventh, and Ollie Bearman (Haas) in eighth.
- Oscar Piastri, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Valtteri Bottas were among the regular drivers who sat out the session.
- Team Dynamics: The session allowed teams to gather initial data for the Yas Marina circuit, crucial for fine-tuning car setups ahead of qualifying and the race.
By the numbers:
- Lando Norris (McLaren): 1m24.485s
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull): +0.008s
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): +0.016s
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): +0.123s
- Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber): +0.144s
- George Russell (Mercedes): +0.248s
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber): +0.257s
- Ollie Bearman (Haas): +0.274s
- Carlos Sainz (Williams): +0.286s
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine): +0.370s
What's next:
The focus now shifts to the remaining practice sessions, where teams will push to optimize their setups for qualifying. The narrow margins seen in FP1 suggest that qualifying will be fiercely contested, with mere hundredths of a second potentially deciding grid positions. For the rookies, this session was a vital experience, and their performances will be closely scrutinized by their respective teams for future opportunities.