Lando Norris tops first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix practice ahead of Verstappen

Mclaren’s championship leader Lando Norris has headed the first timing boards of the weekend in Abu Dhabi, pipping title rival Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Feature image credit: McLaren Racing

In a weekend where the title is on the line, Norris jumped out of the box with the fastest lap on the board in the opening practice sessions, ahead of Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

There were a handful of FP1 rookies taking part in the opening hour of practice, with nine rookies taking part. McLaren’s championship contender, Oscar Piastri was one of the drivers to sit out the opening hour with Pato O’ward taking his place.

Arvid Lindblad, who will replace Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls next season, as he replaces Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull, took part in FP1, replacing the departing Japanese driver at Red Bull.

Luke Browning, Ryo Hirakawa, Jak Crawford and Cian Shields, Arthur Leclerc, Ayumu Iwasa and Paul Aron joined the session for Williams, Haas, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Racing Bulls and Alpine respectively.

Embed from Getty Images

So, who finished where?

1. Lando Norris, McLaren
2. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
3. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
4. Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
5. Nico Hulkenberg, Kick Sauber
6. George Russell, Mercedes
7. Gabriel Bortoleto, Kick Sauber
8. Oliver Bearman, Haas
9. Carlos Sainz, Williams
10. Franco Colapinto, Alpine
11. Ryo Hirakawa, Haas
12. Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
13. Paul Aron, Alpine
14. Pato O’Ward, McLaren
15. Arvid Lindblad, Red Bull
16. Arthur Leclerc, Ferrari
17. Ayumu Iwasa, Racing Bulls
18. Luke Browning, Williams
19. Jak Crawford, Aston Martin
20. Cian Shields, Aston Martin

Read more Formula 1 here:

• F1 drivers slam Kimi Antonelli abuse ahead of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
• Toyota Gazoo Racing to become title sponsor of Haas
• ‘I’m not finished yet’ says Yuki Tsunoda in first post after Red Bull axe
• Red Bull and Racing Bulls confirm driver line-ups for 2026 to complete grid
• Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview: Drivers’ Championship goes down to the wire in season finale
• Max Verstappen cuts down title gap after Qatar Grand Prix win

Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep up with the latest news from ApexMotorsports.co.uk!

Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.