Lando Norris topped the timesheets in the opening free practice session for the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Friday, beating Max Verstappen by two-tenths of a second and immediately setting the tone for what could become another compelling chapter in the now-familiar duel between McLaren and Red Bull.
The weekend began with one notable absence: Oscar Piastri was nowhere to be seen on the timing screen, leaving fans and commentators puzzled as to why Norris’s teammate failed to appear during the session.
The first day of running at Yas Marina saw drivers battling against strong winds and tricky track evolution. Norris, however, appeared unfazed. The Briton delivered a series of consistent, precise laps, ultimately posting a best time of 1:25.629, which left him comfortably clear of Verstappen’s Red Bull. The Dutchman—who has dominated this circuit in recent years—could only manage 1:25.866, though he appeared calm as he stepped out of the car, hinting that Red Bull had yet to show its hand.
Behind them, the grid was tightly packed. George Russell put his Mercedes into third, just ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, while Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top five. While the order offered few shocks, the session did reinforce a trend that has defined much of the season: McLaren and Red Bull are locked in a fierce, season-long battle reminiscent of some of Formula 1’s most iconic intra-team rivalries.
A Rivalry Renewed
Although Mercedes and Ferrari remain ever-present threats, the most intense dynamic in the current F1 landscape is the duel between McLaren and Red Bull—a rivalry that stretches back nearly two decades. When Red Bull first emerged as a title-contending force in the early 2010s, it was McLaren who most consistently challenged Sebastian Vettel’s charge to four consecutive world championships. Races such as Canada 2011, Brazil 2012, and the early battles of 2010 showcased memorable wheel-to-wheel combat between the two teams, often decided by tiny margins or strategic gambles.
That competitive DNA has resurfaced in 2025. With Norris and Piastri proving formidable opponents and Red Bull continuing to rely on Verstappen’s relentless consistency, each weekend has become a micro-saga in a season defined by swings of momentum. Friday’s opening session in Abu Dhabi offered the latest glimpse of this rivalry’s modern incarnation: Norris delivering a statement lap, and Verstappen responding with quiet, unmistakable confidence.
Mystery Surrounds Piastri’s Absence
The biggest talking point away from the stopwatch was Oscar Piastri’s unexplained absence. Expected to be one of the session’s front-runners, the Australian did not complete a single lap. McLaren offered no immediate technical explanation, prompting speculation that the team was either managing a mechanical issue or electing to preserve components ahead of a demanding weekend.
Piastri has been one of Norris’s fiercest competitors this year, and his absence left some fans disappointed. Yet McLaren seemed calm, suggesting his car would be ready for FP2. If so, the afternoon session could feature the full force of McLaren’s challenge against Verstappen—setting up a tantalising prospect for qualifying.
Conditions Add to the Challenge
Yas Marina’s climatological quirks were on full display. Gusty winds unsettled several cars, especially through the fast sweepers of Sector 1. Verstappen and Russell both encountered snaps of oversteer, while Leclerc complained of instability under braking. Despite the challenges, drivers used the session primarily for setup exploration rather than headline-grabbing laps.
Norris’s time, therefore, should be treated with some caution. Red Bull is well-known for running heavier fuel loads on Fridays, and Verstappen himself has often remarked that early sessions rarely reflect the true competitive order. Still, the performance of the McLaren looked clean, balanced, and quick—an encouraging sign for a team eager to end the season with a strong result.
What to Expect Next
With the all-important FP2 session to come—run in conditions closer to those of qualifying and the race—the picture will become clearer. Piastri’s return will be a key factor, as will the adjustments Red Bull makes to the RB21. Verstappen has made a habit of turning the screw when it matters most, particularly at circuits where he has enjoyed historical dominance. McLaren, meanwhile, carry the confidence of recent podiums and know that a strong qualifying performance could give them the upper hand.
If the opening session is any indication, fans may be treated to another classic showdown between the two teams whose rivalry has helped shape Formula 1’s modern era. Norris’s early speed, Verstappen’s simmering potential, and the looming presence of Piastri promise a fascinating conclusion to the final race weekend of the season.
Main Image: By Pi3.124 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27715675
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