Norris Sends Clear Warning to Verstappen in FP2, Piastri Struggles

Lando Norris delivered a strong performance in FP2 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, setting the fastest lap and signaling a serious challenge to Max Verstappen. While Norris demonstrated impressive pace, his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri struggled to match his performance, falling significantly behind.

Why it matters:

This pivotal weekend could reshape the 2025 drivers' title fight. Norris's strong showing suggests McLaren could be a formidable contender, putting pressure on Verstappen and Red Bull. A competitive McLaren would inject significant excitement into the championship battle, moving beyond a potential single-team dominance.

The Details:

• Early Incident: The session began with a minor controversy as Max Verstappen allegedly impeded Lando Norris into Turn 1. Norris voiced his frustration over the radio, though race stewards later resolved the matter with no further action.
• Medium Tire Runs: In the initial phase, drivers primarily used medium tires. Oliver Bearman and Isack Hadjar briefly held top spots, but Norris was the highest-placed driver on mediums, indicating strong underlying pace.
• Soft Tire Performance: Verstappen was the first major contender to switch to soft tires, immediately claiming P1 with a 1:23.446. George Russell then slotted in just 16 thousandths behind the Dutchman.
• Norris Dominance: Lando Norris subsequently took the session lead, posting a blistering 1:23.083, nearly four-tenths faster than Verstappen. This lap highlighted McLaren's potential in qualifying trim.
• Piastri's Struggles: In contrast, Oscar Piastri finished his first soft tire run in tenth, almost seven-tenths adrift of his teammate, indicating a gap in performance within the McLaren garage.
• Ferrari's Woes: Both Ferrari drivers faced difficulties, with Charles Leclerc managing only eighth and struggling with car control. Lewis Hamilton found himself even further down in fourteenth.
• Long Run Pace: During the long runs, Verstappen showed solid pace on mediums, consistently lapping around 1:29.2. Norris matched this pace initially, lap-for-lap, but then pulled away, nearing the 1:28 barrier while Verstappen's times drifted towards 1:30.000.

What's next:

Norris's ability to pull away from Verstappen in the long runs suggests that McLaren might have not only qualifying pace but also strong race pace in Abu Dhabi. If Norris can maintain this form, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix could be a closely contested race, potentially setting the stage for an intense 2025 season. All eyes will be on qualifying to see if McLaren can translate this FP2 performance into a strong grid position, and on the race to see if Norris can indeed challenge Verstappen for the win.