It was George Russell out in front after a vital Abu Dhabi free practice. After a relatively anonymous FP1 and FP2, the Mercedes driver found a solid turn of pace in FP3 to pip title favourite Lando Norris by just 0.004s. With Mercedes on the verge of securing second place in the constructors’ standings, Russell will be looking to end the season on a high come Sunday.
Behind him, Lando Norris had the measure of his championship rivals. His fastest time in FP3 was three tenths off his best in FP1, however the McLaren has looked incredibly planted through the first and second sectors all weekend. Norris’ only hindrances were a snap of oversteer in FP1 and a run-in with Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda in FP3. Norris comes to Abu Dhabi with a 12-point championship lead; as a result, a podium finish will be enough for the Brit to secure his maiden drivers’ title.
By contrast, Max Verstappen struggled to get to grips with his Red Bull. The reigning world champion suspected a mechanical issue in FP1 and later complained of excess bouncing in FP3. Verstappen also had a close shave with Norris in FP2, where he nearly collided with the McLaren in the first sector.
Verstappen comes to Yas Marina as Norris’ nearest challenger, but with 12 points separating the pair, Verstappen will have to win with Norris fourth or lower if he’s to have any chance of a fifth consecutive title.
Every full-time driver is required to make way for a rookie in at least two free practice sessions over the course of the year. With Abu Dhabi being the season finale, it was rookies galore in FP1.
Luke Browning took Alex Albon’s place at Williams and inadvertently impeded Isack Hadjar at turn 13. 31-year-old Le Mans winner Ryo Hirakawa took to the track for Haas, while Paul Aron made his third appearance for Alpine. The former Formula 2 driver suffered a snap of oversteer out of the final corner en route to P13. Both Aston Martin drivers made way for Cian Shields and Jak Crawford, while Arthur Leclerc joined his elder brother Charles at Ferrari. Ayumu Iswasa took Liam Lawson’s place at Racing Bulls, while Arvid Lindblad, who will be driving for the team next year, took the departing Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull. IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward contested the session for McLaren, which meant Oscar Piastri had to spend FP1 on the sidelines.
When he finally did return in FP2, the Australian had a largely trouble-free run and ended the final session 0.255s off his teammate in fifth. After being denied victory last time out in Qatar, Piastri now finds himself 16 points off the championship lead. Were he to win, Norris would have to finish sixth or lower for Piastri to be champion. Given his slim title hopes and recent form, Piastri has nothing to lose and is likely to be in the mix going forward.
After benching both their drivers in FP1, Aston Martin was the first team out on track in FP2. Lance Stroll briefly topped the timesheets in the final part of practice but eventually ended the session 14th. His teammate Fernando Alonso fared better as he ended FP3 in fourth.
Haas look strong after free practice. Ollie Bearman vehemently praised his car’s handling in FP2 and ended the final session in 7th, one place behind his teammate Esteban Ocon.
Charles Leclerc recorded the eighth fastest time ahead of Kimi Antonelli, who suffered a collision with Yuki Tsunoda in the pit lane.
Alex Albon struggled with engine issues in FP2 and ended the following session 10th ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto, Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg.
Liam Lawson recorded the 15th fastest time in FP3 ahead of the Red Bull-bound Isack Hadjar. Pierre Gasly ended up 17th ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who suffered a major crash at turn nine in FP3 that brought out the red flag. The seven-time world champion reported a sense of ‘buckling’ at the front end that “snapped the rear”.
Franco Colapinto finished the session 19th ahead of Yuki Tsunoda, in his final weekend as a Red Bull driver.
Its advantage: Norris after free practice. However, with Russell having entered the equation and Verstappen and Piastri looming large, it's anyone's guess as to who will take the final, crucial pole of 2025.
