Yuki Tsunoda was left surprised and concerned by his 17th-place finish in Abu Dhabi FP2, citing a significant gap to Max Verstappen and discomfort in the car. Having missed FP1, Tsunoda now faces an uphill battle to find pace and contribute to Red Bull's championship goals in what will be his final few races before moving to a test and reserve driver role in 2026.
Lando Norris started the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend strong, topping both Friday practice sessions ahead of Max Verstappen. His impressive pace in the title-deciding event suggests McLaren could be a major factor. The upcoming Free Practice 3 session will be critical for teams to finalize setups and gain crucial insights before qualifying, setting the stage for an intense championship showdown at Yas Marina.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali expressed his strong desire for a controversy-free title decider in Abu Dhabi, contrasting it with the divisive 2021 finale. With Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri battling for the championship, the sport aims to ensure a fair and undisputed conclusion to the season, focusing on clean racing rather than contentious race control decisions.
Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda is under investigation after impeding Lando Norris during FP3 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, forcing the championship leader off track. Although no contact was made, the incident could lead to penalties that might influence the decisive weekend, with stewards set to review the matter post-session.
Lewis Hamilton has voiced significant concerns over Isack Hadjar's promotion to Red Bull for the 2026 season to partner Max Verstappen. Citing the team's history of drivers struggling in the second seat, Hamilton worries about the immense pressure a young Hadjar, with just 23 F1 starts, will face against the dominant Verstappen. He hopes Red Bull provides Hadjar with the necessary support to thrive in a notoriously challenging environment.
Max Verstappen holds a significant psychological advantage over Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the F1 title race. According to former Red Bull colleagues, Verstappen's past championship experiences provide a unique calmness that permeates his team, fostering confidence. His error-free driving and composed demeanor are seen as critical assets, enabling Red Bull to operate with confidence against the less experienced McLaren duo in this high-stakes battle.
Aston Martin drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were summoned to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix stewards for missing a mandatory fan engagement activity, an unusual breach of F1 sporting regulations (Article 19.2 C). This incident underscores the importance of off-track driver commitments. A team fine is the likely outcome rather than a sporting penalty for the drivers, emphasizing F1's focus on fan interaction and professional obligations.
The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marks the end of seven significant eras in Formula 1, including Yuki Tsunoda's Red Bull-backed career, Sauber's long-standing presence, and the controversial DRS system. Key partnerships like Red Bull-Honda and Silverstone-Mercedes also conclude. Renault, a legendary engine manufacturer, makes its final bow. These departures pave the way for a transformative 2026 season, introducing new car regulations and strategic shifts across the grid.
Lewis Hamilton reportedly covered the entire bill for the traditional F1 drivers' dinner in Abu Dhabi, gathering 17 fellow competitors ahead of the season finale. George Russell's comments hinted at Hamilton's generosity, following Valtteri Bottas's turn last year. This gesture, amidst Hamilton's challenging season and upcoming move to Ferrari, highlights his enduring camaraderie within the F1 paddock.
F1 drivers, led by George Russell, are urging the FIA to prioritize experienced stewards' judgment over strict guidelines in incident rulings. Following a meeting discussing contentious penalty decisions, Russell emphasized the need for stability this season but called for a more nuanced approach in the future, advocating for the professionalization of stewarding roles to enhance consistency and expertise.
Aston Martin drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll face an FIA summons in Abu Dhabi for allegedly breaching Formula 1 Sporting Regulations related to a fan engagement activity. They are due to explain their non-attendance ahead of FP3. This incident underscores the FIA's commitment to enforcing all regulations, including those concerning fan interaction, as Aston Martin seeks to conclude its season and prepare for future technical opportunities.
Helmut Marko indicates Red Bull is focusing on optimizing Max Verstappen's car for race pace in Abu Dhabi, rather than strictly aiming for pole position, as overtaking is more feasible there. Verstappen struggled with understeer and was behind Lando Norris in practice, prompting a strategic shift to ensure a competitive Grand Prix performance.
