Lando Norris set the pace again in the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP FP2, strengthening his title push with a confident lap that put Max Verstappen almost four tenths back at Yas Marina.
Norris extends his edge in the title fight
The McLaren driver looked sharp from the start and carried over his FP1 form with a clear advantage once the Soft-tyre runs began. His 1:23.082 lap delivered a strong signal as the championship showdown approaches.
Verstappen briefly led on Soft tyres but soon shifted focus to longer runs, leaving Norris comfortably ahead as conditions stabilised.
Early pace swings and tyre variety
The session opened with mixed compounds, and Oliver Bearman set the initial benchmark for Haas. Isack Hadjar briefly held the top spot as well, taking advantage of the C5 compound in cooler evening air.
Once McLaren and Red Bull switched to Soft tyres, the order changed quickly, with Norris and Verstappen trading quick laps before the McLaren driver built a sizeable gap.
Piastri struggles on return after FP1 absence
Oscar Piastri returned from his required FP1 sit-out but was unable to match his teammate’s rhythm. He ended FP2 in P11, reporting a lack of balance that limited his one-lap performance.
Competitive midfield under the lights
The fight behind the top two proved tight. George Russell secured P3 with a strong Soft-tyre lap, while Oliver Bearman impressed again with P4 in a Haas he described as “insanely good”.
Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto followed closely in a productive showing for Sauber, keeping both cars within striking range of the top five.
FP2 Classification – 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
| Pos | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 3 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 4 | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 5 | Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber |
| 6 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber |
| 7 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls |
| 8 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 9 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 10 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 11 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 12 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 13 | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 14 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 15 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
| 16 | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 17 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull |
| 18 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 19 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
| 20 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
Performance notes before the weekend peak
Norris found grip early and kept control as long-run simulations began. Verstappen’s switch to Medium tyres suggests Red Bull focused on Sunday’s pace rather than headline times.
McLaren’s efficiency on the C5 compound stood out, while Mercedes displayed consistent speed across both tyre types.
Summary
Norris delivered a commanding FP2 in Abu Dhabi, extending his advantage over Verstappen as the championship weekend gathers momentum. The gaps behind suggest a tight midfield, while Piastri faces setup work before qualifying.
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Source: FIA