Lando Norris struck the first blow of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, topping FP1 by just eight thousandths of a second over championship rival Max Verstappen as the final showdown for the 2025 Formula 1 world title officially began.
With Norris, Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri entering the weekend separated by a razor-thin championship margin, Thursday’s practice carried a tension none of them could mask — even after trying to appear relaxed during media day.
But once engines fired, the gloves came off.
Piastri Sits Out FP1 as O’Ward Joins Nine Rookie Participants
In a twist for the title fight, Piastri did not take part in FP1, handing his McLaren to reserve driver Pato O’Ward as part of the rookie running requirements.
He was one of nine rookies on track, alongside:
- Arthur Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Arvid Lindblad (Red Bull)
- Paul Aron (Alpine)
- Ryo Hirakawa (Haas)
- Ayumu Iwasa (Racing Bulls)
- Luke Browning (Williams)
- Jak Crawford & Cian Shields (Aston Martin) — fulfilling the team’s two-rookie-per-car obligation
Hadjar Surprises Early as Verstappen and Norris Build Up Speed
Verstappen opened with a run on the hard tyres, initially posting a 1:25.468, just slower than Norris’s 1:25.454 on mediums.
But all eyes briefly shifted to Isack Hadjar, who launched his Racing Bulls to P1 with a 1:25.245 on hards — a shock time that put him ahead of Carlos Sainz, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Nico Hülkenberg midway through the session.
Norris and Verstappen sat fifth and sixth at that moment, biding their time.
Soft Tyres Trigger the Real Fight
Verstappen was the first title contender to bolt on the softs — and he delivered.
His 1:24.493 put him back on top, reminding the field that Red Bull came to fight.
Norris responded eight minutes later.
His first effort was compromised by a moment at Turn 2, clocking a 1:24.519, but on the next push lap he unleashed a 1:24.485 — good enough to edge Verstappen by just 0.008 seconds.
Charles Leclerc wasn’t far off either, delivering a 1:24.501, just 0.016s behind Norris.
Strong Sessions for Antonelli and Hülkenberg; Bearman Recovers
Kimi Antonelli impressed again with the fourth-fastest time for Mercedes, while Hülkenberg starred for Sauber in fifth.
Their teammates — George Russell and Gabriel Bortoleto — followed in sixth and seventh.
Despite a sensor issue limiting him to only 14 laps, Oliver Bearman still managed P8 on mediums, ahead of Sainz and Franco Colapinto, who rounded out the top ten.
Hirakawa led the rookie contingent in 11th.
Verstappen Reports Problems Late in FP1
As the session wound down, Verstappen reported trouble from Turn 3, telling Gianpiero Lambiase:
“I think something might be broken on the car.”
Asked where he was feeling the issues, Verstappen’s reply was blunt:
“Everywhere now.”
Even so, the reigning champion pushed on with his long-run program, refusing to step back as the title fight intensifies.
