Abu Dhabi Grand Prix F1: Lando Norris Tops Both Practice Sessions Ahead Of Title Decider

The Formula 1 title fight is Lando Norris' to lose, and he doesn't look like losing. The British driver went fastest in both of Friday's (December 5, 2025) practice sessions as he laid down a marker ahead of the three-way title decider at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Norris beat title rival Max Verstappen by just 0.008 of a second in the first session and stretched that gap over the Red Bull driver to 0.363 in the second, which was more representative of the day-night conditions for Sunday's race. The only way Norris can lose the title is if he finishes the race outside the top three. Norris leads Verstappen by 12 points and teammate Oscar Piastri by 16. Norris and Piastri are each looking to win their first title and Verstappen is aiming for his fifth in a row.

Updated on: 6 December 2025 12:30 pm

2025 Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix second practice-Lando Norris

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain makes a pit stop during the second practice for the he Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. | Photo: AP/Fatima Shbair

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2025 Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix second practice-Red Bull driver Max Verstappen

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands in action during the second practice for the he Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

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2025 Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix second practice-Fernando Alonso

Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain steers his car during the second practice ahead of the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri

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2025 Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix second practice-Carlos Sainz

Williams driver Carlos Sainz of Spain steers his car during the second practice ahead of the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri

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2025 Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix second practice-Oscar Piastri

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia in action during the second practice for the he Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

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2025 Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix second practice-Max Verstappen

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands in action during the second practice for the he Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

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2025 Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix second practice-Lewis Hamilton

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain in action during the second practice for the he Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

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2025 Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix second practice-Yuki Tsunoda

Team RB driver Yuki Tsunoda of Japan steers his car during the second practice ahead of the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri

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McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia steers his car during the second practice ahead of the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri

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Williams driver Carlos Sainz of Spain steers his car during the second practice ahead of the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri