Lando Norris tops Abu Dhabi practice, Charles Leclerc's penalty hits Ferrari's title hopes
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British driver Lando Norris topped the second practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, showcasing McLaren’s determination to clinch the constructors’ title.
Norris led his Australian teammate, Oscar Piastri, as the team turned up the heat at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who had dominated the opening practice ahead of Norris and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, was hit with a 10-place grid penalty for taking a new battery pack. This penalty poses a significant setback for Ferrari, who are chasing a 21-point deficit against McLaren to secure their first constructors' title since 2008.
Norris posted an impressive lap time of 1:23.517, outpacing Piastri by two-tenths of a second. Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg secured third place, followed by Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari. Hamilton, in his final race weekend with Mercedes, was fifth fastest, while Leclerc finished sixth.
Other notable performances included Sauber's Valtteri Bottas, Haas’ Kevin Magnussen, Williams' Alex Albon, and AlphaTauri's Yuki Tsunoda, rounding out the top ten.
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s newly crowned four-time world champion Max Verstappen struggled for pace, ending the session in 17th. Mercedes' George Russell, embroiled in an ongoing feud with Verstappen, finished 13th.
The day wasn’t without controversy. Verstappen, who skipped the earlier session, complained about understeer during his run. His struggles coincided with personal news: his partner, Kelly Piquet, announced they are expecting their first child together.
Tensions between Red Bull and Mercedes persisted, with Red Bull boss Christian Horner dismissing Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff’s criticism. In response to being called a "yapping little terrier," Horner quipped, "I'd rather be a terrier than a wolf."
Leclerc expressed frustration during the session, criticizing other drivers for impeding his laps. Despite his efforts, Ferrari's pursuit of McLaren in the standings remains challenging, especially with Leclerc's penalty hampering their bid.
As the final race weekend of the season unfolds, McLaren’s strong form under the twilight at Yas Marina puts them in prime position to claim their first constructors’ championship since 1998. Meanwhile, Ferrari and Mercedes face an uphill battle in their respective campaigns to end the season on a high note.