Lando Norris topped the opening practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, setting a 1m24.485s lap to narrowly beat championship rival Max Verstappen by just 0.008s. With Charles Leclerc only 0.016s behind, the session highlighted the intense competition expected in the season finale where Norris aims to secure his maiden F1 title. Nine rookies also participated, as the championship battle looks set to go down to the wire.
Lando Norris led the first practice session in Abu Dhabi by a slim margin over Max Verstappen, who faced car reliability issues. Oscar Piastri sat out for rookie Pato O'Ward, impacting McLaren's initial preparations. The session saw several rookies in action and early struggles for Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Haas's Oliver Bearman, setting a competitive tone for the final race weekend.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has confirmed the team will consider enforcing team orders at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix if it becomes clear one driver can win the championship. This strategic pivot from their season-long free racing approach aims to maximize Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri's chances against Max Verstappen, underscoring McLaren's fierce determination to secure the Drivers' Championship in the high-stakes season finale.
Championship leader Lando Norris secured the fastest time in the first practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, narrowly beating rival Max Verstappen. Norris, holding a 12-point lead, clocked a 1:24.485s lap, just 0.008s ahead of Verstappen. McLaren teammate and title contender Oscar Piastri sat out the session for a rookie. The tight margins hint at a fierce battle in the season-ending, three-way championship decider.
The 2025 F1 season concludes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a tight three-way championship battle. Lando Norris leads Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, making Free Practice 2 (FP2) crucial for setup adjustments and data gathering amidst changing wind conditions. All three drivers are focused on their usual preparations as they head into a decisive weekend that will crown the 2025 F1 Drivers' Champion.
The 2025 F1 season concludes with a thrilling title showdown in Abu Dhabi featuring Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri. Fans worldwide will need to navigate various streaming and TV options, with limited free-to-air coverage, as Norris aims for a top-three finish to clinch the championship. This guide details how to watch the finale in different countries.
The 2025 F1 season finale begins with FP1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, featuring numerous rookie drivers gaining crucial track experience at Yas Marina. This session is vital for teams to assess new talent and for seasoned drivers to commence their car setup, offering early insights into the pecking order for the final race weekend.
Lando Norris narrowly beat Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi GP FP1 by 0.008 seconds, with Charles Leclerc close behind. This sets up a thrilling season finale where Norris, Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri battle for the World Championship, promising an intense qualifying and race weekend.
Lando Norris dominated the first practice session of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, clocking the fastest lap and making an early statement of intent. The McLaren driver's strong performance, amidst a session featuring several rookies, positions him as a strong contender for the season finale, hinting at an exciting battle for the championship.
Gabriel Bortoleto believes Max Verstappen has proven himself the 'best driver' of the 2025 F1 season, despite the championship going down to the wire. Verstappen, who has won five of the last eight races, is in contention for the title against Lando Norris in Abu Dhabi, needing a podium finish and specific results from his rival to claim the crown after a season where he often overcame car limitations.
Ferrari's decision to shift early development focus to the 2026 F1 season, while strategic, led to unexpected psychological challenges for the team in 2025. Team principal Fred Vasseur admitted underestimating the morale impact of knowing no major aerodynamic upgrades were coming for the current season, despite driver support for the long-term plan.
Carlos Sainz believes Lando Norris has a significant advantage in the F1 title fight, largely due to the season finale being held in Abu Dhabi. Sainz, Norris's former McLaren teammate, highlighted Norris's strong track record at Yas Marina, where he is the reigning race winner. Norris needs a podium finish to secure his maiden F1 title, and Sainz is confident he can deliver a "perfect weekend" under pressure.
