F1 Abu Dhabi GP live: Norris pips Verstappen to top spot again in second practice

Norris sets the tone for the weekend by going fastest in both Friday practice sessions ahead of Verstappen

Lando Norris eyes world title in F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi

The 2025 Formula 1 season concludes this weekend with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where the F1 drivers’ title will be settled as Lando Norris bids to hold his nerve and triumph ahead of Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.

The McLaren drivers will battle the Red Bull star on Sunday after a thrilling finale to the season, with Verstappen edging closer to Norris after victory in Qatar last week, chopping down the deficit to just 12 points after another mistake-ridden weekend for the British outfit.

READ: Lando Norris can play it down all he likes – an F1 world title would put him among the elite

The equation is simple for Verstappen, who will hope to land another win with Norris in fourth or lower to scoop a fifth title in as many seasons. Team dynamics, and papaya rules, could impact how Piastri’s role evolves over the weekend, should his own chances of winning the title fade with 16 points separating him and his teammate. McLaren CEO Zak Brown confirmed team orders would be invoked should it be necessary.

Norris went fastest in both practice sessions on Friday, with Verstappen following closely behind in second but Piastri down the order in 11th in the evening session.

Follow all the latest updates from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with The Independent:

F1 2025: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

• The final round of the 2025 F1 season takes place in Abu Dhabi
• Qualifying takes place at 2pm (GMT) on Saturday
• Lando Norris leads Max Verstappen by 12 points with the title at stake
• Norris quickest in both Friday practice sessions, ahead of Verstappen in second
• COMMENT: Lando Norris can play it down all he likes – an F1 world title would put him among the elite

[5 December 2025 14:30 · Kieran Jackson]

Pinned

What time is qualifying on Saturday?

The all-important qualifying session at the Yas Marina Circuit takes place at 2pm (GMT).

The final practice session is at 10:30am on Saturday.

(Getty Images)

[5 December 2025 16:00 · Kieran Jackson]

British F1 world champions

Can Norris join this special list?

1. Mike Hawthorn (1958)
2. Graham Hill (1962, 1968)
3. Jim Clark (1963, 1965)
4. John Surtees (1964)2)
5. Sir Jackie Stewart (1969, 1971, 1973)
6. James Hunt (1976)
7. Nigel Mansell (1992)
8. Damon Hill (1996)
9. Lewis Hamilton (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
10. Jenson Button (2009)

[5 December 2025 15:00 · Kieran Jackson]

Lando Norris can play it down all he likes – F1 title would be life-changing

By Kieran Jackson in Abu Dhabi

Lando Norris, leader by 12 points, did his best to defuse the enormity of the occasion. “It’s the same as every weekend, nothing changes,” he began. Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, flanking the Briton on either side, echoed a similar sentiment. This was all their years of media training at the most simplistic level.

Moments later, a Brazilian reporter couldn’t help but remark: “You all say it’s a normal weekend but, well... it’s not.” This seemed the appropriate cut-through moment.

Full piece below:

[5 December 2025 14:23 · Kieran Jackson]

Positions 11-20 in FP2

11. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

12. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

13. Carlos Sainz (Williams)

14. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

15. Alex Albon (Williams)

16. Esteban Ocon (Haas)

17. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)

18. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)

19. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

20. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

[5 December 2025 14:16 · Kieran Jackson]

Top-10 in FP2

1. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 1:23.083

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.363

3. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.379

4. Oliver Bearman (Haas) +0.418

5. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) +0.467

6. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) +0.487

7. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) +0.574

8. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.575

9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +0.625

10. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.667

[5 December 2025 14:03 · Kieran Jackson]

Lando Norris fastest in FP2

The answer is no; Norris and Verstappen did not have time to set another lap.

For the championship leader, a perfect day. Verstappen has been close in second but the gap in this session stands at a healthy 0.363 seconds.

George Russell takes third, with Ollie Bearman and Nico Hulkenberg rounding off the top-five. Oscar Piastri, meanwhile, has work to do, down in 11th.

6-10: Bortoleto, Hadjar, Leclerc, Alsono, Antonelli

(Getty Images)

[5 December 2025 13:59 · Kieran Jackson]

Final soft tyre runs

Norris on softs, Verstappen on softs.

Will we have any late change to the top of the leaderboard?!

[5 December 2025 13:49 · Kieran Jackson]

Piastri down in 11th

The Australian, who is still six-tenths off Norris, hasn’t got a time quick enough to even be in the top-10.

That probably won’t change either, as they all finish off the session with their race simulation runs.

Final 10 minutes now...

[5 December 2025 13:47 · Kieran Jackson]

Norris pips Verstappen again

Biggest statement Lando Norris has made so far today.

The championship leader goes fastest with a 1:23:083 - three-tenths quicker than Verstappen in second.

Oscar Piastri, as it stands, is six-tenths off the pace down in ninth.

(Getty Images)

[5 December 2025 13:29 · Kieran Jackson]

Max Verstappen goes quickest in FP2

The Dutchman with a 1:23:446 - a tenth quicker than Nico Hulkenberg in second.

3-10: Hadjar, Sainz, Bearman, Ocon, Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Lawson

Main contenders yet to set a lap time on softs, other than Verstappen.