Norris Leads Verstappen in Tight Abu Dhabi GP FP2
Lando Norris topped Abu Dhabi GP Free Practice 2, narrowly beating Max Verstappen by 0.363s, setting the stage for a tight qualifying battle. George Russell and Oliver Bearman completed the top four, with the entire field showing extreme competitiveness as the top 16 drivers were separated by less than a second, hinting at a thrilling end to the season's final race.
Lando Norris topped the second free practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, setting a 1m23.083s lap. He narrowly outpaced championship rival Max Verstappen by 0.363s, signaling a potentially close fight for qualifying. Oscar Piastri, who missed FP1, finished P11, while George Russell and Oliver Bearman rounded out the top four, showcasing the competitive nature of the field as the current regulatory era draws to a close.
Why it matters:
This session provides the clearest indication yet of competitive form heading into qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. With Norris leading Verstappen, it sets the stage for a dramatic end to the season and the current regulation cycle. The tight gaps among the top 16 drivers highlight the intense competition and the crucial importance of fine-tuning for Saturday's qualifying.
The Details:
- Norris on Top: Lando Norris set the fastest time with a 1m23.083s, demonstrating McLaren's strong pace. This performance positions him as a serious contender for pole position.
- Verstappen Close Behind: Max Verstappen secured second place, just 0.363s slower than Norris. His consistent presence at the front suggests Red Bull remains a formidable force.
- Russell and Bearman Impress: George Russell finished third, with Oliver Bearman surprisingly taking fourth for Haas. Bearman's strong showing underscores his potential and Haas's improved form.
- Tight Midfield: The session saw an incredibly compact midfield, with the top 16 drivers separated by less than a second. This indicates that even minor errors in qualifying could have significant consequences for grid positions.
- Piastri's Catch-Up: Oscar Piastri, having sat out FP1, managed P11. He will be looking to extract more pace from his McLaren during qualifying after missing track time.
- On-Track Incident: A minor incident involving Norris and Verstappen saw Norris complain about being blocked, but no further action was taken by the stewards.
What's next:
The teams will now focus on analyzing data from FP2 to optimize their car setups for qualifying. The narrow margins suggest that every detail will count, from tire management to aerodynamic adjustments. Qualifying is scheduled for 2:30 PM local time (9:30 PM AEDT), where the true pecking order for the grid will be established.