ABU DHABI: Series leader Lando Norris topped the times for McLaren ahead of title rival Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in Friday’s opening practice ahead of this weekend’s decisive season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The 26-year-old Briton clocked a fastest time of one minute 24.485 seconds to outpace Red Bull’s four-time champion, with Leclerc adrift by 0.016 seconds and Mercedes’ rookie Kimi Antonelli fourth by a tenth.
Norris’s regular teammate and fellow championship contender Oscar Piastri sat out the session as his seat was given to McLaren reserve driver Pato O’Ward, who was 14th in the Australian’s car, 0.761 seconds adrift of the pace.