2025 Abu Dhabi GP FP2: Norris stays on top under the lights

The first day of the 2025 F1 World Championship finale ended the way it began — Lando Norris on top. The McLaren driver continued his strong start to the title-deciding weekend by setting the fastest time in FP2 at Yas Marina, leading Max Verstappen once again, with George Russell securing third for Mercedes as twilight descended on Abu Dhabi.

Norris stopped the clock at 1m 23.083s on the soft C5 tyre, finishing 0.363s ahead of a four-time World Champion who was still visibly searching for balance over the bumps. Russell was just 0.379s back in P3, while team-mate Oscar Piastri — finally back in the car after surrendering FP1 — could manage only P11 as he rebuilt rhythm after his late start to the weekend.

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After the rookie-heavy FP1 session, Friday evening brought the return of the usual contenders — including Piastri — as the grid shifted into race-representative conditions. The Australian’s mechanics were busy making adjustments even as the clock ticked toward the 17:00 local time green light, but once the MCL39 hit the track, his programme ran cleanly.

Elsewhere, there was early drama when Verstappen, fresh off completing his lap, ended up in Norris’ path at Turn 1 following a radio mix-up with Gianpiero Lambiase. “What’s this guy doing? I almost crashed,” Norris radioed. The stewards reviewed the moment but — with no clear wrongdoing — chose to take no further action.

With the sun setting and track grip rising, the Red Bull of Isack Hadjar — promoted to a race seat in 2026 — briefly led the way on softs with a 1m 24.167s, just ahead of Ollie Bearman and Norris on mediums. Moments later, Verstappen swapped to the red-walled tyre and fired in a 1m 23.446s, seemingly laying down the marker.

But Norris was only warming up. Once the McLaren bolted on the soft tyres, he delivered a lap in the low 23s, a statement of intent that comfortably re-established his name at the top of the order. Piastri attempted his own qualifying simulation soon after, but a muted lap left the title-challenger only 10th at that stage — behind both Mercedes, both Saubers, Bearman’s Haas, Hadjar’s Racing Bulls and Charles Leclerc.

Not everything ran smoothly elsewhere. Carlos Sainz had a wild snap through the fast Turn 2-3 sweep but gathered it up just in time, while Williams teammate Alex Albon reported possible engine issues as the laps built up.

With most teams shifting to race-run data collection, Norris’ early flyer stayed unbeaten at the chequered flag, maintaining a slender but visible edge over Verstappen — who later complained of “more bouncing” — and Russell.

Behind the frontrunners, Bearman once again impressed with a superb P4 for Haas, just ahead of Kick Sauber duo Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. The rookie couldn’t help expressing his delight mid-session:

“Mate, the car is insane! I don’t know how it’s so good.”

Hadjar capped another eye-catching day with P7, followed by Charles Leclerc, Fernando Alonso, and Kimi Antonelli rounding out the top ten, with Piastri left looking for time in 11th.

Lance Stroll followed in 12th, ahead of Sainz and Albon, who split Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari. The final slots were taken by Esteban Ocon, Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, and the Alpine drivers.

2025 Abu Dhabi GP FP2 Results

2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix FP2, 5 December 2025