Lando Norris set the quickest time within the second observe session (FP2) for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix because the solar dipped under the horizon. The McLaren driver was adopted carefully by his teammate Oscar Piastri, with Nico Hulkenberg of Haas rounding out the highest three. McLaren’s efficiency bodes properly for his or her championship cost as they head into the ultimate qualifying session of the season. Ferrari discovered themselves additional down the standings, with Carlos Sainz ending in 4th and Charles Leclerc in sixth. Max Verstappen, who had already secured the championship, ended the session in a shocking seventeenth place.
As FP2 unfolded, the session returned to a extra acquainted setup, with the six rookie drivers changed by the full-time drivers from their respective groups. Alpine’s Jack Doohan participated in his first-ever FP2 session in Components 1, stepping in for Esteban Ocon after the Frenchman selected to take part within the post-season take a look at with Haas. Regardless of a slight lock-up on the finish of the primary straight, Doohan remained optimistic and completed nineteenth. The later session begin time supplied circumstances that had been extra consultant of what we will anticipate on race day, permitting groups to check each quick and long-run methods.
Ferrari and McLaren began the session robust. After the primary 20 minutes, Lando Norris topped the time sheets, with Charles Leclerc, the quickest in FP1, carefully following behind. Nevertheless, Leclerc faces a 10-place grid penalty for the ultimate race of the season as a consequence of an power retailer alternative. Max Verstappen, who had chosen to take a seat out the primary observe to present Purple Bull junior Isack Hadjar some monitor time, had a troublesome time in FP2. He voiced considerations over the dealing with of his RB20, which gave the impression to be affecting his general efficiency.
Williams’ misfortunes continued throughout FP2. Because the night session wore on, drivers started switching to gentle tyres to enhance their lap occasions. Norris continued to impress, setting a greatest lap of 1:23.517. His solely notable mistake got here when he suffered a snap of oversteer after hitting the curbs at Flip 1. In the meantime, Williams’ Franco Colapinto had a a lot more durable session. The Argentine driver brought about important harm to his automotive after closely hitting the skin curb, which ended his observe session prematurely. This might probably be his closing F1 observe, as Purple Bull has shifted their focus away from the younger driver. Williams’ woes weren’t over, as Alex Albon additionally encountered points together with his automotive, suspected to be a driveline downside, leaving him caught in third gear as he limped again to the pits.
McLaren’s robust efficiency was maintained for the rest of the session, with Norris and Piastri ending on the prime. Nico Hulkenberg, in his closing race for Haas, secured a optimistic third place end for the American group. Max Verstappen’s session led to disappointment, ending seventeenth after battling understeer all through. His teammate, Sergio Perez, didn’t fare significantly better, ending the session in 14th place.
Listed here are the ultimate outcomes from FP2: