Norris Edges Verstappen in Abu Dhabi GP Practice

Published: 05 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Title contenders Lando Norris and Max Verstappen were tied together at the top of the times in first practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Norris’ McLaren narrowly led Verstappen’s Red Bull by just 0.008 seconds, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured third and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli took fourth place. The tiny gap set the tone for an intense finale in the championship battle.

Heading into the final race of the season, Norris leads Verstappen by 12 points. The Briton will claim his first-ever world championship if he finishes on the podium, regardless of the outcome for Verstappen. Conversely, Verstappen will take the championship only if he wins the race and Norris finishes lower than third.

Meanwhile, Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri, sitting 16 points behind, did not participate in the first session as IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward completed one of McLaren’s mandatory rookie runs. Piastri faces a mathematically challenging task to become champion.

The first session at Abu Dhabi is notoriously unrepresentative, being run in daylight while both qualifying and the race take place during twilight. Many teams opted to run rookie drivers in the session, with only Mercedes and Sauber fielding both of their regular race drivers.

Charles Leclerc, who was just 0.016 seconds off the pace, delivered an encouraging performance after a disappointing race in Qatar last weekend. He was partnered by his brother Arthur, who took part in the practice session.

As the season draws to a dramatic conclusion, all eyes will be on Abu Dhabi to see if Norris can secure the title or if Verstappen will stage a late-season comeback. The championship finale promises high-stakes action, with teams carefully balancing strategy and performance under the changing light conditions of twilight racing.

The session also highlighted the depth of talent among rookie drivers, giving fans a glimpse of potential future stars in the sport. Meanwhile, the established front-runners continue to refine their setups and pace for the high-pressure final showdown.

In conclusion, the Abu Dhabi practice session set the stage for a thrilling final race, with championship implications hanging in the balance. Norris and Verstappen are separated by mere fractions of a second, emphasizing the razor-thin margins that define Formula 1. Fans worldwide will be watching closely as the title contenders prepare for the decisive moments of the 2025 season.