Overview
- Lando Norris leads the standings on 408 points, with Max Verstappen 12 back and Oscar Piastri 16 behind, as 25 points remain at Yas Marina.
- Norris was fastest in both Friday practice sessions, with Verstappen second in FP2 and Piastri only 11th and over half a second off the top time.
- Tensions surfaced in practice when Norris complained on team radio about Verstappen circulating slowly as he approached on a flying lap.
- McLaren has not set team orders for its two title contenders, with both Norris and Piastri saying the issue has not been discussed internally.
- Verstappen is bidding for a fifth consecutive drivers' crown, McLaren has already clinched the constructors' title, and Mercedes holds a 33-point edge over Red Bull for second among teams.