Overview
- Lando Norris set 1:24.485 to lead Practice 1 by 0.008 seconds over Max Verstappen at Yas Marina.
- Norris improved to 1:23.083 in Practice 2, again fastest with Verstappen 0.363 seconds back.
- Oscar Piastri ceded his car to Patricio O’Ward in Practice 1, then returned for Practice 2 to finish 11th at +0.680.
- Verstappen and Piastri remain in contention but must finish ahead of Norris under specific points combinations to take the title.
- Alpine struggled in Practice 2 with Franco Colapinto 19th and Pierre Gasly 20th, as final practice and qualifying follow on Saturday.