FP1 in Abu Dhabi concludes with Lando Norris leading the pack: Verstappen just 8 thousandths behind, Leclerc third by 16. Antonelli fourth, while Piastri and Hamilton sit out.
The season finale is underway in Abu Dhabi. The World Championship decider is here: a three-way battle between Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri, and the leading contender, Lando Norris. Who will come out on top? Follow our LIVE coverage.
FP1 in Abu Dhabi has wrapped up with Lando Norris setting the pace: Verstappen trails by a mere 8 thousandths of a second, with Leclerc in third, just 16 thousandths off the top spot. Antonelli finishes fourth, while Piastri and Hamilton were absent from the session. Will it be exclusively a three-way fight, or will Ferrari join the fray?
The session also saw a host of rookies taking to the track: Arthur Leclerc replacing Hamilton at Ferrari, Iwasa for Lawson at Racing Bulls, Lindblad for Tsunoda at Red Bull, O’Ward for Piastri at McLaren, Aron for Gasly at Alpine, Browning for Albon at Williams, Hirakawa for Ocon at Haas, and Crawford and Shields driving for Aston Martin in place of Alonso and Stroll.
FP1 in Abu Dhabi LIVE
11:30- The first free practice session in Abu Dhabi comes to a close: Norris finishes on top with a 1:24.485. Verstappen is right on his tail, 8 thousandths behind, with Leclerc close by at 16 thousandths. Antonelli takes fourth, followed by Hulkenberg in fifth and Russell in sixth. Arthur Leclerc finishes sixteenth in the other Ferrari. Oscar Piastri sat out the session, replaced by Pato O’Ward, who finished fourteenth. The results below:
11:22- The first race simulation times are coming in
11:10- Norris moves to the front: 8 thousandths ahead of Verstappen and 16 clear of Leclerc. The top three are separated by a handkerchief
11:05- Norris closes in on the top: the Brit is second, just 26 thousandths behind Verstappen! Leclerc also sends a signal, sitting 74 thousandths off Max’s time.
11:00- Halfway through the session, here is the live picture of the lap times:
10:55-Verstappen and Russell on soft tires begin their qualifying simulations: keep an eye on the times!
10:50-Hulkenberg flies to the top: Norris improves but remains 15 thousandths behind. The track is evolving rapidly
10:40- Norris, on medium tires, starts in the lead with a 1:25.764; Russell and O’Ward match the time to the thousandth
10:30- Here we go! Green flag and the session is underway
Photo: McLaren, Scuderia Ferrari HP, F1.com
