Championship leader Lando Norris edged out his title rival Max Verstappen to set the pace in first practice at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Norris, who holds a 12-point lead over Verstappen going into Sunday’s 2025 finale, delivered a time of 1:24.485s to finish just eight-thousandths of a second clear of the Red Bull driver.

Norris’ McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, who can also still win the title from his position 16 points behind the Brit, sat out the opening hour of track action as he fulfilled his obligation to miss a second 2025 practice session to allow a rookie to participate.

The results of the early afternoon session at the Yas Marina Circuit are not necessarily representative of how the weekend’s competitive action will play out, given qualifying and the race both take place in the vastly different evening conditions under the floodlights.

Piastri, who was replaced by Pato O’Ward, was one of nine drivers to sit out the session to allow rookies to feature.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was just 0.016s back from Norris in third, with Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli a further tenth of a second back in fourth.

More to follow…

Sky Sports F1’s Abu Dhabi GP schedule

Friday December 5
12.45pm: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice Two (session starts at 1pm)*
2.15pm: The F1 Show*

Saturday December 6
10.15am: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice Three (session starts at 10.30am)*
12.10pm: F2 Sprint Race*
1.15pm: Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying build-up*
2pm: ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
4pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*

Sunday December 7
9.10am: F2 Feature Race
11am: Grand Prix Sunday: Abu Dhabi GP build-up*
1pm: THE ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX*
3pm: Chequered Flag: Abu Dhabi GP reaction*
4pm: Ted’s Notebook

*also on Sky Sports Main Event

The 2025 F1 season concludes with the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime