Norris Tops Rookie-Dominated Abu Dhabi FP1 as Title Decider Looms
Lando Norris narrowly beat Max Verstappen in a rookie-filled Abu Dhabi FP1, setting the stage for their championship showdown. The session saw nine young drivers on track, fulfilling regulatory requirements, with notable performances from Kimi Antonelli and Gabriel Bortoleto. Despite the unusual lineup, the close times between the title rivals add intrigue as the F1 season heads into its final decisive race.
Lando Norris narrowly edged out Max Verstappen to set the fastest time in the opening practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a session heavily influenced by the mandated inclusion of nine rookie drivers. This FP1 served as the final opportunity for several teams to fulfill the regulatory requirement of running rookies in two practice sessions per season.
Why it matters:
This rookie-heavy FP1, while not fully representative of race pace, offers an early psychological edge to Norris in his championship battle with Verstappen. The sheer number of new faces also provides a crucial glimpse into the next generation of F1 talent, with several impressive performances catching the eye in a low-grip, challenging session. For teams, it's the last box to tick before the season's climax.
The Details:
- Norris's Edge: Lando Norris, utilizing soft tires later in the session, clocked a 1m24.485s lap, just 0.008 seconds quicker than Max Verstappen, who is currently 12 points behind Norris in the championship standings.
- Rookie Flood: Nine regular drivers, including title contender Oscar Piastri, sat out FP1. This allowed teams to meet the mandated rookie requirement, providing a unique look at future talent.
- Notable Rookie Performances:
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) finished an impressive 4th, showcasing his potential.
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) secured 7th, contributing to a strong outing for Sauber in their final F1 weekend under that name.
- Ryo Hirakawa (Haas) placed 11th, the fastest rookie despite reporting bouncing issues.
- Patricio O’Ward (McLaren) was the third-fastest rookie in 14th, filling in for Piastri.
- Incidents and Challenges:
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) had a late spin at Turn 5, though he finished 3rd.
- Oliver Bearman (Haas) faced power loss and hydraulic issues, then a sensor failure, but still managed to reach 8th place.
- Many rookies reported issues with bouncing and adjusting to the track conditions, which were hazy and low-grip.
- Tight Field: A remarkable one-second separated the top 17 drivers, from Norris down to Ayumu Iwasa, highlighting the competitive nature even with many new drivers.
The big picture:
The Abu Dhabi FP1 underscored the dual objectives teams juggle at the end of a season: fulfilling regulatory obligations while maintaining focus on the championship fight. While the session was far from a true indicator of race pace, the close times between Norris and Verstappen, even with the disrupted running, sets the stage for a tense title decider. The strong showing from several rookies, particularly Antonelli and Bortoleto, also hints at the depth of talent waiting in the wings for future F1 opportunities.
What's next:
Teams will now shift their focus to FP2, where regular drivers will return, and the true competitive pecking order for the weekend will begin to emerge. With the championship on the line for Norris and Verstappen, every session from now until Sunday's race will be critical. The data gathered from the rookie runs will also be vital for teams in their ongoing driver development programs, potentially influencing future lineup decisions.