Norris Remains Cautious Despite Topping Abu Dhabi Practices

Lando Norris holds the top spot after Friday's free practice sessions at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, positioning himself strongly for the F1 title showdown. Despite this early advantage, the McLaren driver emphasized that he has 'nothing to smile about just yet,' highlighting the intense competition ahead.

Why it matters:

• Norris leads the F1 drivers' standings by 12 points over Max Verstappen and 16 points over Oscar Piastri heading into the final race of the season.
• A third-place finish on Sunday would secure his maiden F1 championship, regardless of his rivals' results.
• His dominant performance in practice suggests McLaren's strong pace, but the tight championship battle means every detail will count.

The details:

• Practice Performance: Norris outpaced Max Verstappen by eight-thousandths of a second in FP1 and extended his lead to over three-and-a-half-tenths in FP2.
• Car Feedback: Despite his strong showing, Norris expressed a desire for more from the car, stating he's 'not completely happy or completely confident.'
• Team Strategy: McLaren is experimenting with different setups and trying to understand various aspects of the car overnight to maximize performance for qualifying and the race.
• Championship Scenario: Norris's fate is in his own hands; a top-three finish guarantees him the title.

What's next:

Norris expects the competition to tighten significantly during qualifying. His focus remains on refining the car's performance and maintaining his edge to clinch his first world championship. The qualifying session will be critical in setting the grid for Sunday's decisive race.