The first Abu Dhabi practice session took place » Norris and Verstappen are separated by just 8 thousandths of a second

His teammate Oscar Piastri, also in contention for the title, did not attend the session.

• The Abu Dhabi race was scheduled for Sunday, December 7, from 3:00 p.m. The competition will be broadcast in liveTEXT format on GSP.ro and on TV on Antena 1.

Lando Norris, fastest in the first practice session

Norris, who leads the standings with 408 points, set the best time of the session, just eight thousandths of a second ahead of Verstappen, second in the world standings with 396 points. Piastri, with 392 points, will have to wait for the second practice session to start his training on the track.

Results of the top 10 drivers in the first free practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:

1. Lando Norris 1:24.485

2. Max Verstappen 1:24.493

3. Charles Leclerc 1:24.501

4. Kimi Antonelli 1:24.608

5. Nico Hulkenberg 1:24.629

6. George Russell 1:24.733

7. Gabriel Bortoleto 1:24.742

8. Oliver Bearman 1:24.759

9. Carlos Sainz 1:24.771

10. Franco Colapinto 1:24.855

The session was marked by the participation of several young and reserve drivers, who replaced some of the starters. One of the absentees was Oscar Piastri, the third candidate for the title, also from McLaren. His place was taken by the Mexican Patricio O'Ward.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc completed the leading trio, just 16 thousandths off Norris' time, despite a pirouette in the closing stages of practice. Young Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli impressed with the fourth fastest time, followed by Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg. George Russell (Mercedes) was sixth, ahead of Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, who made his Sauber debut and overtook fellow debutant Oliver Bearman (Haas). Carlos Sainz (Williams) and Franco Colapinto (Alpine) completed the top 10.

The second free practice session is scheduled for Friday at 3:00 p.m.

Driver standings ahead of the final race in 2025

1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 408 points

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 396

3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 392

4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 309

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 230

6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 152

7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 150

8. Alexander Albon (Williams) – 73

9. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 64

10. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 51

11. Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber) – 49

12. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 48

13. Oliver Bearman (Haas) – 41

14. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 38

15. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 33

16. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 32

17. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 32

18. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 22

19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) – 19

20. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 0

21. Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 0