Norris Tops FP2 As Title Fight Intensifies In Abu Dhabi Open Chronicle Open Chronicle

Image: from Lucho Yoma X@LucianoYoma

By José Carlos Palma

Lando Norris closed the first day of running at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with authority. The McLaren driver set the fastest time of the second free practice session on Friday, laying down a strong opening statement in his battle for the championship.

He clocked a 1:23.083 and secured the lead on the timesheets. Max Verstappen finished second, three tenths behind. George Russell, Oliver Bearman and Nico Hülkenberg completed the top five. Oscar Piastri, who skipped FP1 due to the rookie requirement, delivered a quieter FP2 and finished eleventh.

The second practice session brought all drivers back into their cars after FP1 had featured nine rookies. Track temperatures hovered around 26 degrees Celsius, with the asphalt reaching 30 degrees. Early on, Oliver Bearman took the lead with a 1:24.744 and Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli followed. Bearman was running on soft tyres during this phase.

Norris and Verstappen had a brief scare when they encountered each other on track. Both drivers complained on the radio, with Norris saying they almost collided. Ten minutes into the session, Isack Hadjar held the fastest time on soft tyres while Bearman and Esteban Ocon followed. Hülkenberg and Franco Colapinto were on hards and the remaining drivers on mediums.

Hadjar continued at the top with a 1:24.167. Bearman, Verstappen, Carlos Sainz and Ocon completed the top five. Among the title contenders, Norris sat third with thirty seven minutes left. Verstappen was fifth and Piastri held seventh. A close call occurred when Bearman exited the pit lane and nearly made contact with Gabriel Bortoleto’s Sauber. Bearman reported the incident as a dangerous release.

Norris then posted his decisive 1:23.083 and reclaimed the lead. Verstappen, Russell, Bearman and Hülkenberg filled out the top positions. The gap across the top eleven drivers stayed within one second.

Alexander Albon later reported engine issues. Williams responded that they were investigating the cause. As the session approached its final twenty three minutes, all drivers switched to soft tyres. Only Russell, Sainz, Lewis Hamilton and Liam Lawson remained temporarily in the garage.

Bearman continued to show strong pace and told his team that the car felt unbelievable. In the final minutes, Antonelli became frustrated with a Haas driver ahead of him and complained over the radio.

With thirteen minutes left, Norris led from Verstappen, Russell, Bearman and Hülkenberg. Bortoleto, Hadjar, Charles Leclerc, Fernando Alonso and Antonelli closed the top ten.

In the final five minutes, Norris maintained control at the front. Verstappen stayed second and Piastri remained eleventh.

When the chequered flag flew, Norris secured the fastest time and ended Friday on top. Verstappen, Russell, Bearman and Hülkenberg formed the top five. Bortoleto finished sixth.

F1 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Second Free Practice Results