PRACTICE DEBRIEF: Is Norris in the pound seats for the 2025 title – or do Verstappen and Piastri have more to show?

Lando Norris' bid to convert his championship lead into a first Formula 1 world title at the finale in Abu Dhabi got off to a strong start as he set the pace in Friday practice – but how did his championship rivals Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri fair?

Just how good was Norris on Friday?

Well, on paper, pretty good. The McLaren racer, who leads the championship by 12 points from Verstappen with Piastri four points further back, looked quick in both the daytime first practice and the more representative second session at dusk.