Lando Norris set the pace in the opening practice for the 2025 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, edging out Max Verstappen by a mere 0.008 seconds.
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc slotted into third early on in the Ferrari SF-26, his soft tire run yielding just 0.016 seconds shy of Norris’s benchmark.
Mercedes’ rookie sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli impressed in fourth, while Nico Hulkenberg delivered a veteran masterclass for Sauber placing fifth.
George Russell anchored the top six for Mercedes, his session marred slightly by a brief off-track excursion in sector two but recovering seamlessly to complete 29 laps.
Gabriel Bortoleto shadowed teammate Hulkenberg closely in seventh, followed by Haas’ Oliver Bearman who ran limited laps on mediums to clock the eighth fastest lap.
Carlos Sainz nestled ninth for Williams as Franco Colapinto rounded out the top ten for Alpine.
How Verstappen can win the 2025 F1 Championship in Abu Dhabi
Full 2025 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix FP1 Results
| Pos | Driver | Team | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:24.485 |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0.008 |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.016 |
| 4 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +0.123 |
| 5 | Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber | +0.144 |
| 6 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.248 |
| 7 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber | +0.257 |
| 8 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | +0.274 |
| 9 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | +0.286 |
| 10 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | +0.370 |
| 11 | Ryo Hirakawa | Haas | +0.449 |
| 12 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | +0.492 |
| 13 | Paul Aron | Alpine | +0.719 |
| 14 | Pato O’Ward | McLaren | +0.761 |
| 15 | Arvid Lindblad | Red Bull | +0.771 |
| 16 | Arthur Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.875 |
| 17 | Ayumu Iwasa | Racing Bulls | +0.990 |
| 18 | Luke Browning | Williams | +1.005 |
| 19 | Jak Crawford | Aston Martin | +1.404 |
| 20 | Cian Shields | Aston Martin | +1.947 |
READ MORE:
2025 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix FP2 Results
Full 2026 F1 driver line-up: Who will be on the grid next season?
