Norris tops also FP2 in Abu Dhabi as championship battle heats up

Lando Norris continued his imperious start to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend by topping Practice 2 at Yas Marina, backing up his FP1 pace with a commanding lap of 1:23.083. The McLaren driver finished 0.363s ahead of Max Verstappen and 0.379s clear of George Russell, sending a clear message to his title rivals ahead of Saturday’s crucial qualifying session.

Conditions were ideal for representative running, with track temperatures around 28°C and no wind-related disruptions beyond a few gusts that caught drivers out in Turn 6. The session was incident-free in terms of major crashes, but traffic and small mistakes played a role in shaping the order.

FP2 Top 10 Classification

1. Lando Norris – McLaren – 1:23.083 (Soft)
2. Max Verstappen – Red Bull – +0.363 (Soft)
3. George Russell – Mercedes – +0.379 (Medium)
4. Oliver Bearman – Haas – +0.418 (Soft)
5. Nico Hulkenberg – Kick Sauber – +0.467 (Soft)
6. Gabriel Bortoleto – Kick Sauber – +0.487 (Soft)
7. Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls – +0.574 (Soft)
8. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari – +0.575 (Medium)
9. Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin – +0.625 (Medium)
10. Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes – +0.667 (Medium)

Key Storylines from FP2

Norris Sets the Benchmark

Norris’ lap was not only the fastest of the day but also showcased McLaren’s strong one-lap pace in qualifying trim. His sector times were particularly impressive, topping both Sector 1 and Sector 3, while remaining competitive in the middle sector. The Briton’s confidence will be boosted by the fact that he also led FP2 here last year before converting that into pole and victory.

Verstappen Close but Not Quite There

Verstappen looked comfortable and less vocal about car issues compared to FP1. His best lap on softs was strong, but Red Bull will likely find more overnight — a hallmark of their weekend preparation. A small snap at high speed hinted at the Yas Marina layout’s sensitivity to wind changes, something to watch in qualifying.

Russell Shows Mercedes’ Potential

Russell’s P3 on mediums suggests Mercedes may have more pace to unlock on the softs. Both Silver Arrows looked competitive, with Antonelli also inside the top 10. If they can translate this into qualifying, the title fight could get an extra twist.

Midfield Stars Shine

The midfield was fiercely competitive, with Bearman, Hulkenberg, and Bortoleto all inside the top six. Bearman, in particular, was effusive about his Haas, describing it as “insane” after recent upgrades. Hulkenberg’s consistency and Bortoleto’s speed underline the possibility of a surprise Q3 appearance from multiple midfield runners.

Piastri on the Back Foot

Oscar Piastri, still mathematically in the championship fight, had a subdued session. Missing FP1 for Pato O’Ward’s rookie outing left him short on mileage, and a lock-up into Turn 6 compromised his soft-tyre run. He ended P11, nearly seven tenths off Norris, and will need a strong FP3 to get back in contention.

Ferrari’s Mixed Fortunes

Leclerc’s P8 on mediums suggests decent pace, but long-run performance remains a concern. Hamilton, meanwhile, struggled in P14, almost nine tenths off the lead and clearly eager to end his debut Ferrari season on a high note.

Traffic and Track Position

Despite Yas Marina’s wide layout, traffic was a recurring theme. Antonelli, Bortoleto, and Norris all reported being impeded at various points. With all 20 cars on track in Q1 tomorrow, timing will be critical.

Long-Run Insights

Teams split their race simulations between mediums and softs, with some exploring the possibility of using the C5 compound in a two-stop strategy. Norris and Piastri both ran medium-tyre long runs late in the session, suggesting McLaren is gathering data for multiple race scenarios.

Championship Context

With Norris leading Verstappen by 12 points and Piastri 16 points behind his teammate, the permutations are straightforward:

• Norris podium = title secured.
• Verstappen win = Norris must be 4th or lower.
• Piastri win = Norris must be 6th or lower.

What to Watch in FP3 and Qualifying

• McLaren vs Red Bull: Can Verstappen close the gap to Norris?
• Mercedes’ soft-tyre pace: Russell’s medium run hints at more to come.
• Midfield chaos: Bearman, Hulkenberg, and Bortoleto could disrupt the top 10.
• Piastri’s recovery: Needs clean laps to rejoin the fight.
• Traffic management: Q1 could be a minefield.

Final Take: Norris is the man to beat heading into Saturday, but Verstappen’s overnight gains and Mercedes’ hidden pace mean the fight for pole — and potentially the championship — is far from settled. The midfield’s form adds another layer of unpredictability to what promises to be a thrilling end to the season.