LANDO NORRIS LEADS VERSTAPPEN AND RUSSELL IN ABU DHABI FP2
McLaren’s Lando Norris was the fastest driver in Friday’s second practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He led Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ George Russell, while his team mate Oscar Piastri finished in 11th place.
Using soft tyres, Norris set a lap of 1:23.083 during the one-hour session. This put him 0.363 seconds ahead of four-time World Champion Verstappen, with Russell just 0.016 seconds further behind.
After nine rookie drivers took part in FP1, the regular racers returned for FP2, which took place at sunset and gave a much better idea of real performance. Piastri, who missed FP1, got back in the car. Even though McLaren mechanics were still adjusting his car shortly before the session began at 17:00 local time, he went out early and started his programme smoothly.
There was some early trouble between Verstappen and Norris. As they left Turn 1, Verstappen slowed at the end of his lap, while Norris was starting a fast lap. Norris had to avoid him suddenly and said on the radio, “What’s this guy doing? I almost crashed.” The stewards reviewed the moment but decided not to take any action.
A quarter of the way into the session, Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar, who will race for Red Bull in 2026, was leading with a 1:24.167 on soft tyres. He was just ahead of Haas driver Ollie Bearman, with Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri behind on medium tyres.
Verstappen later switched to soft tyres and took P1 with a 1:23.446, but Norris soon beat that with a 1:23.083 and moved clearly ahead.
Attention then turned to Piastri’s qualifying-style lap, but it left him only 10th. He was behind both Mercedes cars, both Saubers, Bearman’s Haas, Hadjar’s Racing Bulls, and Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari.
Williams had mixed moments: Carlos Sainz had a big slide through the fast Turn 2/3 section but saved it, and Alex Albon reported possible engine problems.
After everyone completed their qualifying laps, the focus moved to long runs to collect race data. Norris stayed fastest with his earlier time. Verstappen, who complained of bouncing near the end, was second, while Russell took third.
Bearman finished an impressive fourth for Haas, just ahead of Sauber drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. Bearman said over the radio, “Mate, the car is insane! I don’t know how it’s so good.”
Hadjar also had a strong session in seventh, followed by Charles Leclerc, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. Piastri ended up just outside the top 10.
Behind them came Lance Stroll, Sainz and Albon for Williams, Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari, Esteban Ocon’s Haas, Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda, Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson, and the two Alpine drivers.
Teams will now review their data in the Yas Marina paddock and consider any set-up changes before the final practice session on Saturday at 14:30 local time.
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