Red Bull confirmed Max Verstappen's car is 'okay' after he reported it 'broken' in Abu Dhabi FP1. Team Principal Laurent Mekies clarified the issues were related to challenging track balance rather than mechanical failure, assuring that initial concerns were unfounded as they work to optimize the setup for the championship fight.
Lando Norris dominated Friday practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, topping both sessions, but remains cautious, stating there's "nothing to smile about just yet." He emphasized the need for further car adjustments to maximize his championship opportunity. While Norris leads teammate Oscar Piastri by 12 points, Piastri struggled in FP2 but remains optimistic about challenging for pole.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has sharply criticized an Australian politician's claim that the team shows bias towards Lando Norris over Oscar Piastri. Brown called Senator Matt Canavan's remarks "uninformed and uneducated," emphasizing McLaren's commitment to fair play despite a strategic error at the Qatar Grand Prix that fueled the controversy. The team boss affirmed that their policy of equal opportunity for both drivers will not change.
Christian Horner's absence is deeply felt in Red Bull's title fight against McLaren, as his signature political mind games are missing from the championship narrative. While Max Verstappen continues to apply pressure with his sharp comments, the current team boss, Laurent Mekies, focuses more on internal performance, leading to an unusually amicable atmosphere with rivals and potentially easing pressure on McLaren.
Lando Norris displayed dominant form in the second free practice session in Abu Dhabi, clocking the fastest time and significantly outperforming Max Verstappen, who struggled with understeer. McLaren's strong performance positions Norris as a key contender for the championship, while Sauber delivered a surprising top-six result. Ferrari and Oscar Piastri had a disappointing session, adding intrigue to the final race weekend.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown vehemently dismissed Australian Senator Matt Canavan's claims that the team is biased against Oscar Piastri, calling the remarks "uninformed." Brown affirmed McLaren's commitment to fair and equal treatment for both Piastri and Lando Norris, highlighting Piastri's own statements on the matter. He reiterated that while the team aims for equal opportunity, strategic decisions, including potential team orders, would be made pragmatically to secure championship victories.
Lando Norris claimed he 'almost crashed' with Max Verstappen during FP2 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after a miscommunication on Verstappen's radio led to a near-collision. The incident, which saw Verstappen slow down in Norris's path, highlighted the intense championship stakes, though stewards took no further action. Norris went on to top the session, showcasing strong form ahead of the final race where he leads Verstappen by 12 points.
Lando Norris led Abu Dhabi FP2, 0.363s ahead of Max Verstappen, with George Russell in third. McLaren's Oscar Piastri faced a challenging session after missing FP1. Rookie drivers Ollie Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Isack Hadjar delivered notable performances, hinting at future F1 talent. The session's unique flow, marked by early long-run simulations, led to an intriguing mix of results ahead of qualifying.
The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix practice sessions offered crucial insights into team performance and strategies. Max Verstappen led FP1, while Ferrari showed strong single-lap pace. Mercedes faced balance issues but improved, and Aston Martin delivered a surprise top-five performance in FP2. Tire degradation and track evolution will play key roles in race strategy.
Lando Norris impressed in Abu Dhabi GP's Friday practice, finishing three-tenths ahead of Max Verstappen, signaling strong potential for qualifying and the race. Meanwhile, McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri struggled with a lock-up, placing 11th. The session also saw a minor incident between Norris and Verstappen, highlighting the growing tension in the championship decider.
Lando Norris has made a sensational start to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, topping both Friday practice sessions and significantly outperforming Max Verstappen. His strong showing sets the stage for an intense F1 title decider, with Norris leading the championship charge. While McLaren appears to be in prime form, other teams like Haas and Sauber also showed surprising pace, hinting at an unpredictable conclusion to the season.
Lewis Hamilton, in his toughest Ferrari season yet without a podium, highlights Max Verstappen's psychological advantage as the 'hunter' in the F1 title fight. Hamilton openly criticized the current car generation as the "worst" he's driven, pushing Ferrari to halt SF-25 development early to focus on the pivotal 2026 project and escape his unprecedented winless streak.
