Photo: Race Pictures

Norris sends clear warning to Verstappen in FP2 as Piastri on the backfoot

14:58, 05 Dec

Updated: 15:02, 05 Dec

byTobia Elia

Here’s everything that went down in FP2 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — a pivotal weekend in the fight for the 2025 drivers’ title.

How did FP2 unfold at Yas Marina?

In the opening minutes of the session, Verstappen was noted for an alleged impeding of Lando Norris into Turn 1, with the Brit brushing past the Dutchman’s RB21 and complaining over the radio about his rival’s track position. The matter was later resolved with no further action.

In the first half of the session, the top drivers ran on medium tires, handing the early top spots to Oliver Bearman, who held P1 for a while, and newly announced Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar, while Norris sat third — the highest-placed driver on mediums.

The first of the big‑guns on soft tyres was none other than Verstappen — he grabbed the top spot around mid‑session with a 1:23.446.

Photo: Race Pictures

George Russell, meanwhile, settled just 16 thousandths behind the four-time world champion, while Norris took the session lead with nearly four-tenths in hand with a 1.23.083

Piastri, on the other hand, ended his first run in tenth, a long way off his teammate by nearly seven-tenths.

Still struggling, the two Ferraris saw Charles Leclerc only eighth, struggling to keep his SF-25 under control, while Lewis Hamilton slotted in as low as fourteenth.

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Turning to the long runs, Verstappen showed a good pace on the mediums, consistently lapping around 1:29.2. Norris also ran at a pace very similar to the four-time world champion, with the two practically matching each other lap for lap.

In the closing laps, Norris pulled away from his title rival, getting close to the 1:28 barrier, while Verstappen’s times drifted up toward 1:30.000.

Abu Dhabi GP FP2 - Full Results

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