Abu Dhabi 2025: pre-qualifying
We had some news between Qatar and now that Tsunoda will be out next year, with Lawson joined by Lindblad at Racing Bulls and Hadjar moving up/down to Red Bull in 2026. Given the second seat has chewed up plenty of good drivers it’s a shame, but not unexpected, to see Tsunoda tossed overboard like this.
Quick note: there are three pre-season tests for 2026, the first being in late January, making the off-season unusually short this year.
And so the title decider, which, thanks to a combination of disqualifications and sub-optimal strategy still sees Verstappen in with a chance of the title. Norris remains favourite, and Piastri lags them both but could theoretically still win. Gosh.
In FP1 Piastri was not running as his car was (long-planned move) taken by Patricio O’Ward, and we had many similar changes in other teams. Norris was fastest, eight-thousandths ahead of Verstappen and 16-thousandths ahead of Leclerc. A tenth back was Antonelli, then Hulkenberg, Russell, Bortoleto, Bearman, Sainz, and Colapinto.
Second practice had Norris fastest ahead of Verstappen, but this time by over a third of a second. Verstappen had some bouncing but this was late into a stint. Russell was a hundredth off the Red Bull, with Bearman having a splendid time in 4th. Sauber were also looking good, with Hulkenberg and Bortoleto right behind him. Hadjar was 7th and only then did we have the Ferrari of Leclerc. Alonso and Antonelli rounded out the top 10. Piastri, driving for the first time this weekend, was 11th.
Because of timing today I won’t be able to follow my usual approach of waiting to see how FP3 goes. I was a bit tempted by Piastri at 5.5 each way, or (for FP3) Russell each way at 11, but decided not to tip anything.
Right now, things are looking good for Norris, but can Piastri bounce back?
Morris Dancer
Quick note: there are three pre-season tests for 2026, the first being in late January, making the off-season unusually short this year.
And so the title decider, which, thanks to a combination of disqualifications and sub-optimal strategy still sees Verstappen in with a chance of the title. Norris remains favourite, and Piastri lags them both but could theoretically still win. Gosh.
In FP1 Piastri was not running as his car was (long-planned move) taken by Patricio O’Ward, and we had many similar changes in other teams. Norris was fastest, eight-thousandths ahead of Verstappen and 16-thousandths ahead of Leclerc. A tenth back was Antonelli, then Hulkenberg, Russell, Bortoleto, Bearman, Sainz, and Colapinto.
Second practice had Norris fastest ahead of Verstappen, but this time by over a third of a second. Verstappen had some bouncing but this was late into a stint. Russell was a hundredth off the Red Bull, with Bearman having a splendid time in 4th. Sauber were also looking good, with Hulkenberg and Bortoleto right behind him. Hadjar was 7th and only then did we have the Ferrari of Leclerc. Alonso and Antonelli rounded out the top 10. Piastri, driving for the first time this weekend, was 11th.
Because of timing today I won’t be able to follow my usual approach of waiting to see how FP3 goes. I was a bit tempted by Piastri at 5.5 each way, or (for FP3) Russell each way at 11, but decided not to tip anything.
Right now, things are looking good for Norris, but can Piastri bounce back?
Morris Dancer
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