Abu Dhabi Grand Prix FP2: Norris Sets the Pace, Verstappen Trails
In a compelling second practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, championship leader Lando Norris showcased outstanding form, clocking the fastest lap of 1m 23.083s—0.363 seconds ahead of title rival Max Verstappen. The cooler evening conditions appeared to favor McLaren, allowing Norris to capitalize, particularly in the technical final sector of the Yas Marina Circuit.
The session revealed significant performance discrepancies, particularly in the final sector, where McLaren outpaced its competitors by nearly 0.3 seconds. Norris also demonstrated superior handling in the initial sector, while Verstappen reported persistent bouncing issues through Turn 3.
Verstappen maintained a marginal advantage in the middle sector, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap overall. Norris’s performance laid down a challenge to Verstappen, who must respond to this pace as the championship battle intensifies.
Teammate Oscar Piastri struggled to find competitive pace, finishing 11th and trailing 0.68 seconds behind Norris. Piastri experienced difficulties establishing a rhythm, with mistakes at critical points on the circuit diminishing his chances for a meaningful fast lap. The Australian also expressed dissatisfaction with his car’s balance throughout the session, which was exacerbated by missing FP1 for team obligations.
Mercedes driver George Russell secured third place, concluding the session 0.379 seconds off Norris’s pace, despite radioing concerns regarding ride quality. Haas rookie Oliver Bearman impressed in fourth, just 0.418 seconds behind, exclaiming, “The car is insane!” after setting his fastest lap.
Sauber teammates Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto rounded out the top six, with Racing Bull’s Isack Hadjar in seventh. Charles Leclerc, the highest-placed Ferrari driver, finished eighth, a notable drop from his earlier FP1 form.
Fernando Alonso and Kimi Antonelli completed the top ten, while several notable drivers—including Piastri—found themselves further down the grid, suggesting complex strategies to unfold as this crucial race weekend progresses.
Session Summary:
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1m 23.083s
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – +0.363s
- George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.379s
- Oliver Bearman (Haas) – +0.418s
- Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) – +0.486s
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – +0.499s
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bull) – +0.574s
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.575s
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – +0.584s
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – +0.625s
Piastri, Stroll, Sainz, Hamilton, and Albon filled positions 11 to 15, highlighting a challenging day for several contenders. As the teams prepare for qualifying, the gap between performance and potential remains tight amidst fierce championship stakes.
