Lando Norris has positioned himself as a strong contender for the Formula 1 World Championship after a commanding performance during practice sessions at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. With the season finale taking place at the Yas Marina Circuit on November 26, 2023, Norris set the fastest lap in both practice sessions, establishing a significant early advantage over his competitors.
Norris, driving for McLaren, led the second practice session with a time that was 0.363 seconds quicker than his nearest rival. If he finishes in at least third place during the 58-lap race, he will secure his first world championship title. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, who is also in contention for the championship, struggled to find pace and finished 11th, leaving him at a disadvantage heading into the decisive race.
The championship battle is intense, with Norris holding a slight lead over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who is currently 12 points behind. Piastri is further back, sitting four points adrift. Norris aims to join the ranks of legendary British drivers by capturing the world title, a feat that has only been achieved by ten others in the sport’s history.
During Friday’s sessions, Norris showcased his skill by dominating the track. He clocked a time just eight thousandths of a second faster than Verstappen in the first session before increasing his lead to nearly four tenths by the end of the day. “Obviously from the times, things look good at the minute,” Norris commented. “I still want a bit more from the car. I’m not completely happy or completely confident.”
Despite his confidence, Norris remains cautious, acknowledging that qualifying can significantly alter the competitive landscape. “It’s not been a bad day, for sure. It’s been a positive one. But we always know it gets a lot closer going into qualifying tomorrow, so there is nothing to smile about just yet.”
The second practice session featured a brief moment of tension when Norris had to maneuver off the racing line to avoid colliding with Verstappen. Norris expressed his frustration over the radio, stating, “What’s this guy doing? Almost crashed.” Fortunately, race stewards did not see the need to investigate the incident.
Verstappen, who has claimed five victories in his last eight races, reported issues with his Red Bull car during the sessions. “I think something is broken on the car,” he noted, while his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, inquired about the handling difficulties. Verstappen concluded with a simple assessment: “We need to be a little bit faster. Still not quick enough.”
Oscar Piastri’s championship journey has been tumultuous this season. Once enjoying a 34-point lead, he now finds himself as an outsider, facing the possibility of supporting Norris in the title chase. Piastri was replaced by another rookie driver in the first session before struggling to improve his time during the second, ultimately finishing nearly seven tenths of a second behind Norris.
In the broader context of the constructors’ championship, Mercedes is aiming to solidify their second-place standing. They secured the third spot in practice, just ahead of Ollie Bearman from Haas, who delivered an impressive performance.
As the season draws to a close, the spotlight remains firmly on Norris. With his sights set on becoming world champion, the upcoming race at the Yas Marina Circuit will be a defining moment in his career and a thrilling conclusion to the 2023 Formula 1 season.
