Method 1 title contenders Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had an honest Friday on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, however steer properly away from overconfidence forward of the decisive periods.
Norris topped each follow periods at Yas Marina, outpacing runner-up Max Verstappen by 0.008s in Free Apply 1 and 0.363s in FP2, because the Purple Bull driver mounts a title problem with a 12-point deficit.
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“Clearly from the occasions and every part, issues are good on the minute, however I nonetheless desire a bit extra from the automotive,” Norris commented. “Not utterly blissful, not utterly assured, we’re a bit in the course of attempting some various things and attempting to grasp some issues with the automotive.
“So hopefully some extra stuff we are able to get out of it in a single day, but it surely’s not been a nasty day for positive. It has been a optimistic day, however we all the time comprehend it will get so much nearer going into quali, so nothing to smile about simply but.”
Workforce-mate Piastri, who’s 16 factors down on Norris within the championship, needed to skip FP1 as McLaren fulfilled the rookie rules for 2025 with Pato O’Ward in motion. Requested if that gave him an edge over Piastri going into Saturday, Norris replied with a pointy “no”.
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Picture by: Steven Tee / LAT Photographs by way of Getty Photographs
Piastri’s 29 laps yielded the Eleventh-fastest time in FP2, 0.680s slower than Norris’ benchmark, however the Australian wasn’t overly involved about his tempo.
“I feel I received there fairly properly on the medium, simply the gentle, did not get essentially the most out of the grip on that first timed lap,” he detailed. “Discovering my ft I feel, however clearly some issues to try to enhance for tomorrow, however I feel after only one session, not too dangerous.”
Requested if he wanted to make huge adjustments or just little tweaks forward of FP3 and qualifying, Piastri mentioned: “I feel it is extra simply little particulars. The automotive feels prefer it’s in a reasonably respectable place. Once more, simply did not get the grip out of it in that first gentle lap, so some small tweaks after all. It did not really feel excellent on the market, however nothing main.”
So far as his pole chances are high involved, Piastri labelled them as “fairly good”.
“I feel the automobiles regarded fast,” he added. “Simply must get some extra laps below my belt and discover my ft a bit extra, that is all. A couple of extra laps tomorrow, a couple of extra units of tyres, hopefully we’ll be there.”
Watch: F1 Replace: Norris hits the bottom working in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen “not in a cushty state of affairs”
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Pictures from Abu Dhabi GP – Apply
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
Abu Dhabi GP – Friday, in images
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