Norris Leads Verstappen as Title Rivals Closely Matched in Abu Dhabi Practice

Norris Edges Verstappen in Practice as F1 Title Battle Heats Up in Abu Dhabi

The stage is set for a thrilling Formula 1 season finale as Lando Norris topped Max Verstappen in Friday practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, highlighting the razor-thin margins between the two title contenders at Yas Marina Circuit.

The McLaren driver, who leads the championship by 12 points, clocked the fastest lap of the day — 0.363 seconds clear of Verstappen. Despite the gap on single-lap pace, the Red Bull driver closed the margin during race simulation runs, showing strong consistency and tyre management.

“From the times, things look good at the minute… but still want a bit more from the car,” said Norris.

“We know it gets closer into qualifying, so nothing to smile about yet.”

Verstappen, seeking his fifth consecutive title, admitted McLaren had an edge:

“We’re still not quick enough… but it’s a decent window. Just need to find a little bit more overnight.”

Simulation Runs Tell a Tighter Tale

While Norris appeared dominant on soft tyres, race run data shows a closer picture:

• Over eight laps, Norris was just 0.075s quicker on average before Verstappen’s tyres started degrading.

• The Briton also completed fewer laps on his long run, suggesting more tyre life saved for Saturday.

Both teams are expected to bring overnight changes to fine-tune setups for qualifying and Sunday’s showdown.

Oscar Piastri Trails Behind Title Rivals

Oscar Piastri, the third contender in the championship fight, finished 11th fastest after failing to hook up a clean lap on the soft tyres. He trails Norris by 16 points and now faces a monumental task to stay in contention.

“I didn’t get the most out of the softs… clearly things to improve tomorrow,” Piastri said after his only session of the day. He sat out FP1 for IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward, who was fulfilling McLaren’s rookie test requirement.

McLaren confirmed they would consider team orders if Piastri’s position could help Norris secure the title on race day.

Notable Performances: Russell, Bearman Shine

Behind the top two, Mercedes’ George Russell placed third, while Haas rookie Oliver Bearman impressed with fourth, praising the car’s balance. Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto followed in fifth and sixth during their final race under the Sauber banner before rebranding to Audi for 2026.

Isack Hadjar finished seventh in his last race before joining Red Bull, with Charles Leclerc, Fernando Alonso, and Kimi Antonelli rounding out the top 10.

Title Scenarios Heading Into Sunday

• Norris will win his maiden F1 championship if he finishes on the podium, regardless of Verstappen’s result.

• Verstappen must win and hope Norris is fourth or lower, or finish second with Norris seventh or worse.

• Piastri must win and have both rivals finish off the podium — a long shot given current form.

All eyes turn to Saturday’s qualifying, where grid positions will be crucial for the deciding race of the season. With both title favourites showing speed and strategy strength, Yas Marina is set for a historic finale.