Lando Norris arrived at the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP season finale at Yas Marina Circuit leading the Formula 1 championship, but controversy erupted during Free Practice 2 as Max Verstappen hindered his progress in the opening minutes. The tense moment unfolded when Verstappen, the four-time F1 champion, impeded Norris’s flying lap, compelling the McLaren driver to take evasive action to avoid a collision and forcing him wide off the racing line.
Earlier in the day, Norris had set the fastest time in the first practice session, narrowly ahead of Verstappen who was just fractions behind in second place. With all three title contenders—Norris, Verstappen, and the absent Oscar Piastri who made way for Pato O’Ward during the rookie test—every on-track opportunity carried significant weight in the tightly contested championship climax.
Practice Session Tensions Heighten Title Battle
During the all-important early moments of FP2, Norris was running medium tires in preparation for a subsequent qualifying simulation, taking advantage of the track conditions that closely matched what drivers would face in qualifying and the race. As Norris began his fast lap, he encountered Verstappen parked on the racing line at the exit of Turn 1, forcing quick reflexes and sending two wheels beyond the white lines in avoidance. This hazardous situation prompted Norris to vent his frustration over team radio:
“What is this guy doing? I almost crashed.”
– Lando Norris, McLaren driver
Race control immediately noted the impeding incident at Turn 1, but as it took place during a practice session, Verstappen did not face any substantial penalty or potential grid drop. Still, the episode intensified already high stakes at the Abu Dhabi GP, with every session crucial for those vying for the world title.
Bernie Ecclestone Expresses Confidence in Verstappen’s Championship Chances
Adding to the charged atmosphere, former Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone weighed in prior to the season’s climax, drawing comparisons between Max Verstappen and his rival Lando Norris. Explaining his viewpoint on who may ultimately secure the crown, Ecclestone voiced strong support for Verstappen:
“I still believe Max will do it. He deserves it. I used to say Alain Prost was the best driver of all time, doing it on his own without a radio to the pit wall telling him what to do, but I think Max is the best I have known. He stands alone.”
– Bernie Ecclestone, former F1 Boss (via Daily Mail)
The former F1 supremo also assessed Norris’s prospects, highlighting differing temperament and experience under pressure between the two championship rivals:
“Lando is fine, a really good driver, but he is over-confident, too cocky, believing his own publicity, but he gets nervous at crunch moments and can’t quite deliver the way Max can when the pressure is on,”
– Bernie Ecclestone, former F1 Boss
Heading into the season finale, Verstappen sits 12 points behind Norris and must claim victory while hoping the British driver finishes fourth or lower to clinch his fifth world title. This dynamic sets the stage for a dramatic finish at Yas Marina Circuit, with Red Bull and McLaren fighting for both championship glory and individual vindication after a volatile practice showdown.
What’s at Stake in the Championship Showdown
The Abu Dhabi GP is now the focal point of the global motorsports community, with both teams and drivers feeling the weight of every move as the title decider nears. Lando Norris, who has taken the lead into the final race, faces pressure from seasoned competitor Max Verstappen, bolstered by backing from figures like Ecclestone and a legacy of racecraft. Meanwhile, Red Bull and McLaren are navigating tension-laden practice sessions and strategic challenges, knowing that laps at Yas Marina Circuit could ultimately determine both reputation and legacy. As the final race approaches, the world watches keenly to see which driver will handle the fierce battle and unpredictable moments to emerge as champion of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
