F1 Abu Dhabi GP live: Start time for crucial qualifying session with Norris and Verstappen eyeing pole

The 2025 Formula 1 season concludes this weekend with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where the F1 drivers’ title will be settled as Lando Norris bids to hold his nerve and triumph ahead of Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.

The McLaren drivers will battle the Red Bull star on Sunday after a thrilling finale to the season, with Verstappen edging closer to Norris after victory in Qatar last week, chopping down the deficit to just 12 points after another mistake-ridden weekend for the British outfit.

The equation is simple for Verstappen, who will hope to land another win with Norris in fourth or lower to scoop a fifth title in as many seasons. Team dynamics, and papaya rules, could impact how Piastri’s role evolves over the weekend, should his own chances of winning the title fade with 16 points separating him and his teammate. McLaren CEO Zak Brown confirmed team orders would be invoked should it be necessary.

Norris went fastest in both practice sessions on Friday, with Verstappen following closely behind in second but Piastri down the order in 11th in the evening session.

Follow all the latest updates from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with The Independent:

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F1 2025: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

• Qualifying in Abu Dhabi takes place at 2pm (GMT) today
• Lando Norris leads Max Verstappen by 12 points with the title at stake; Oscar Piastri is 16 points off Norris
• CRASH! Lewis Hamilton spins out of practice
• George Russell quickest in final practice; Norris 2nd; Verstappen 3rd
• COMMENT: Lando Norris can play it down all he likes – an F1 world title would put him among the elite

COMMENT: Max Verstappen is laughing at McLaren – how many warnings do they need?

12:28 , Kieran Jackson

For all the smugness radiating off the face of Max Verstappen and, by the same token, the fumes of red mist emitting from furious McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, perhaps the first words should go to the true winner of the Qatar Grand Prix: Red Bull’s cool-headed strategy chief, Hannah Schmitz.

For it was Schmitz, the 40-year-old Cambridge-educated engineer, who made the critical call amid yellow flags and muddled thinking on Sunday night. On lap seven, a crash and a safety car created a door of opportunity. Red Bull, and every other team on the grid for that matter, walked straight through. McLaren, however, turned a blind eye.

More below:

Max Verstappen is laughing at McLaren F1 – how many more warnings do they need?

McLaren F1 boss Zak Brown will use team orders in Abu Dhabi: ‘We’d be crazy not to’

12:15 , Kieran Jackson

McLaren CEO Zak Brown says the team will implement team orders if required in order to stop Max Verstappen winning the F1 world championship on Sunday.

The papaya-clad team, who wrapped up the constructors’ title in October, have opted against prioritising either Norris or Piastri throughout the season. However, in a change of approach, Brown has now acknowledged that McLaren will intervene in Sunday’s race in order to seal the drivers’ title.

Full quotes below:

McLaren F1 boss Zak Brown will use team orders in Abu Dhabi: ‘We’d be crazy not to’

Top-10 in FP3

11:58 , Kieran Jackson

1. George Russell (Mercedes) - 1:23.334

2. Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.004

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.124

4. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +0.251

5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.259

6. Esteban Ocon (Haas) +0.271

7. Oliver Bearman (Haas) +0.275

8. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.341

9. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.373

10. Alex Albon (Williams) +0.388

What time is qualifying?

11:40 , Kieran Jackson

Qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is at 2pm (GMT).

George Russell fastest in FP3

11:35 , Kieran Jackson

And that, ladies and gents, is practice done for 2025.

George Russell has snatched a perfect weekend from Lando Norris, taking top spot with a 1:23:334 - just 0.004 seconds ahead of the championship leader!

Max Verstappen is in third, a tenth off, with Oscar Piastri in fourth. All the title contenders are there or thereabouts.

5-10: Ocon, Bearman, Leclerc, Antonelli, Albon

Max Verstappen not happy on team radio:

11:29 , Kieran Jackson

"The problem is that the car still jumps, like it just...I can't keep my feet on the pedals."

George Russell now P1

11:28 , Kieran Jackson

Who saw this coming?!

Russell goes top, just 0.004 secs ahead of Norris!

Verstappen now P3, a tenth off. Boy is it tight.

Final laps coming in now...

Lando Norris fastest

11:22 , Kieran Jackson

Anything you can do Oscar, Lando can do better.

Norris goes two-tenths quicker than his McLaren teammate to re-take top spot.

7:00 left in FP3...

Oscar Piastri goes quickest

11:19 , Kieran Jackson

A much-needed confidence boost for the Australian, who moves to P1 with a 1:23:593 - 0.523 seconds quicker than Verstappen in second!

Final 10 minutes now - expect times to tumble...

FP3 resumes

11:16 , Kieran Jackson

A big queue in the pit-lane as the rest of the grid rush out for the final 15 minutes or so of qualifying.

As for Hamilton, he’ll be hoping the damage on his car isn’t so sufficient that it puts him in danger of missing qualifying at 2pm (GMT).

Hamilton crash

11:12 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton crashes!

11:08 , Kieran Jackson

Oh Lewis!

The Ferrari man spins out of turn 9 and slams into the tyre barrier. He’s all OK. “Something buckled at the front and snapped the rear,” he says.

Hamilton’s Ferrari nightmare shows no signs of abating.

RED FLAG.

Lewis Hamilton crashes

11:03 , Kieran Jackson

Oh Lewis!

The Ferrari man spins out of turn 9 and slams into the tyre barrier. He’s all OK. “Something buckled at the front and snapped the rear,” he says.

Hamilton’s Ferrari nightmare shows no signs of abating.

RED FLAG.

Max Verstappen goes P1

11:01 , Kieran Jackson

A 1:24:245 puts the Dutchman top, with Stroll in second and Bearman third.

Lando Norris goes top

10:47 , Kieran Jackson

The McLaren driver sets a 1:24:7, 1.2 seconds ahead of Pierre Gasly in second.

More than half the cars are still in the garage, but the championship leader is out there, as is Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown:

10:43 , Kieran Jackson

“They [Norris and Piastri are more relaxed than I’ve ever seen, they are enjoying the pressure of the world championship battle. We had a nice team BBQ two nights ago, some nice speeches.

“The team is remarkably calm. We’re very focused and what we realised is bringing any emotion to the pit-wall will not be productive, so staying very focused.”

Speaking to Sky Sports

Most cars in garage

10:38 , Kieran Jackson

Usual procedure at the start of FP3, with the majority of the cars just sitting in the garage.

Franco Colapinto is one of few cars out on the Yas Marina Circuit right now...

Norris vs Verstappen vs Piastri

10:33 , Kieran Jackson

Third practice

10:30 , Kieran Jackson

And we are a go with the third and final practice session of the weekend.

Not always the most representative session, given the warmer conditions, but key for the drivers to dial in ahead of a vital qualifying later on today.

FP3 imminent

10:25 , Kieran Jackson

The final practice session of the season is now just five minutes away.

For the title contenders, it’s their final chance to make a statement ahead of qualifying this evening.

It’s a warm day on Yas Island - around 27C. Who will keep their cool in the heat of battle today?

Title contenders arrive at Yas Marina

10:07 , Kieran Jackson

And they look fairly relaxed to me!

Zak Brown in drivers' press conference:

10:01 , Kieran Jackson

“We’ll be practical and realistic if the race develops,” he said, on the potential for team orders tomorrow. “We’ll race accordingly to do whatever we can to get that driver in front.

“We’re not going to throw away a drivers’ championship.”

British F1 world champions

09:53 , Kieran Jackson

Can Norris join this special list?

1. Mike Hawthorn (1958)
2. Graham Hill (1962, 1968)
3. Jim Clark (1963, 1965)
4. John Surtees (1964)2)
5. Sir Jackie Stewart (1969, 1971, 1973)
6. James Hunt (1976)
7. Nigel Mansell (1992)
8. Damon Hill (1996)
9. Lewis Hamilton (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
10. Jenson Button (2009)

Lando Norris has 'more to lose' in F1 title fight

09:46 , Kieran Jackson

“I guess in terms of position, of course, I have the most to lose because I’m the one at the top. I’ll do my best to stay there for another few days.

“But if it doesn’t go my way, I will try again next year. It will hurt for a little while but that’s life and I’ll crack on and try and do better again next season.

“I also have the mentality that I have nothing to lose because it’s just a race for a championship and in 30 years time I won’t think of it all that much.”

Lando Norris can play it down all he likes – an F1 world title would put him among the elite

09:30 , Jack Rathborn

With barely any space to squeeze through the dozen-row deep horde of reporters and photographers, the three Formula One championship protagonists entered their first arena of the weekend. The FIA have been prone to lapses in common sense at times but, to the delight of all present, F1’s governing body grouped together the top three on Thursday.

It made for a background buzz rarely seen in modern-day sporting press conferences.

Norris can play it down all he likes – an F1 title would put him among the elite

Start times in Abu Dhabi:

08:00 , Kieran Jackson

All times GMT

Saturday 6 December

• Free practice 3: 10:30am
• Qualifying: 2pm

Sunday 7 December

• Race: 1pm

Max Verstappen on title race:

Friday 5 December 2025 22:00 , Kieran Jackson

“The trophy looks the same. I have four of those at home, so it’s nice to add a fifth. I know my signature.

“Of course you always try to win it. But at the same time, I’ve already achieved all that I wanted to achieve in F1, and everything else is just a bonus.

“I just keep doing it because I love it and I enjoy it. I’m very relaxed, I have nothing to lose, and I’m just enjoying being here.”

F1 world title - odds:

Friday 5 December 2025 19:59 , Kieran Jackson

Lando Norris - 1/3

Max Verstappen - 5/2

Oscar Piastri - 12/1

Odds provided by William Hill

F1 constructor standings heading into the final race:

Friday 5 December 2025 18:00 , Kieran Jackson

Mercedes are 33 points ahead of Red Bull in the battle for second in the championship.

1. McLaren - 800 points (champions)

2. Mercedes - 459 points

3. Red Bull - 426 points

4. Ferrari - 382 points

5. Williams - 137 points

6. Racing Bulls - 92 points

7. Aston Martin - 80 points

8. Haas - 73 points

9. Sauber - 68 points

10. Alpine - 22 points

What time is qualifying on Saturday?

Friday 5 December 2025 14:30 , Kieran Jackson

The all-important qualifying session at the Yas Marina Circuit takes place at 2pm (GMT).

The final practice session is at 10:30am on Saturday.

Positions 11-20 in FP2

Friday 5 December 2025 14:23 , Kieran Jackson

11. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

12. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

13. Carlos Sainz (Williams)

14. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

15. Alex Albon (Williams)

16. Esteban Ocon (Haas)

17. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)

18. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)

19. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

20. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

Top-10 in FP2

Friday 5 December 2025 14:16 , Kieran Jackson

1. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 1:23.083

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.363

3. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.379

4. Oliver Bearman (Haas) +0.418

5. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) +0.467

6. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) +0.487

7. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) +0.574

8. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.575

9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +0.625

10. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.667

Lando Norris fastest in FP2

Friday 5 December 2025 14:03 , Kieran Jackson

The answer is no; Norris and Verstappen did not have time to set another lap.

For the championship leader, a perfect day. Verstappen has been close in second but the gap in this session stands at a healthy 0.363 seconds.

George Russell takes third, with Ollie Bearman and Nico Hulkenberg rounding off the top-five. Oscar Piastri, meanwhile, has work to do, down in 11th.

6-10: Bortoleto, Hadjar, Leclerc, Alsono, Antonelli

Final soft tyre runs

Friday 5 December 2025 13:59 , Kieran Jackson

Norris on softs, Verstappen on softs.

Will we have any late change to the top of the leaderboard?!

Piastri down in 11th

Friday 5 December 2025 13:49 , Kieran Jackson

The Australian, who is still six-tenths off Norris, hasn’t got a time quick enough to even be in the top-10.

That probably won’t change either, as they all finish off the session with their race simulation runs.

Final 10 minutes now...

Norris pips Verstappen again

Friday 5 December 2025 13:47 , Kieran Jackson

Biggest statement Lando Norris has made so far today.

The championship leader goes fastest with a 1:23:083 - three-tenths quicker than Verstappen in second.

Oscar Piastri, as it stands, is six-tenths off the pace down in ninth.

Max Verstappen goes quickest in FP2

Friday 5 December 2025 13:29 , Kieran Jackson

The Dutchman with a 1:23:446 - a tenth quicker than Nico Hulkenberg in second.

3-10: Hadjar, Sainz, Bearman, Ocon, Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Lawson

Main contenders yet to set a lap time on softs, other than Verstappen.

George Russell on team radio:

Friday 5 December 2025 13:21 , Kieran Jackson

“The car is feeling much more put together, probably mostly from the wind shift.”

Isack Hadjar quickest

Friday 5 December 2025 13:14 , Kieran Jackson

The Frenchman, who will be a Red Bull driver next year, is fastest early on with a 1:24:167 - 0.034 secs quicker than Ollie Bearman in second, both on soft tyres.

All the title protagonists on mediums at this early stage and ranked in the midfield.

Max Verstappen noted for impeding

Friday 5 December 2025 13:12 , Kieran Jackson

And it’s on his title rival Lando Norris!

Norris “What’s this guy doing? I almost crashed.”

Verstappen was late to get out of the way at turn 1, but more his engineer’s fault than the driver.

Shouldn’t be anything more than a warning for Verstappen.

FP2 underway!

Friday 5 December 2025 13:00 , Kieran Jackson

First outings of the day for the nine drivers who missed out this morning, including Oscar Piastri and Lewis Hamilton.

The only practice session to take place in qualifying and race conditions, so should be a key data-gatherer for the teams.

F1 driver standings in full heading into the weekend

Friday 5 December 2025 12:50 , Kieran Jackson

1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 408 points

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 396 points

3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 392 points

4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 309 points

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 230 points

6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 152 points

7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 152 points

8. Alex Albon (Williams) – 73 points

9. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 64 points

10. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 51 points

11. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) - 49 points

12. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 48 points

13. Ollie Bearman (Haas) – 41 points

14. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 38 points

15. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 33 points

16. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 32 points

17. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 32 points

18. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 22 points

19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 19 points

20. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 0 points

21. Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 0 points

Max Verstappen on his parents not being in attendance:

Friday 5 December 2025 12:15 , Kieran Jackson

“My dad is rallying in Africa [competing in the East African Safari Classic in Kenya] and my mum is at home, happy with the dogs,” he said. “They were not expecting to be here – all plans were cancelled after Zandvoort [in August.].

“I don’t need them here to motivate me. My Mum lights a candle before every race weekend… but I guess they trust their son.”

Who won battle of FP1 rookies?

Friday 5 December 2025 10:59 , Kieran Jackson

11. Ryo Hirakawa (Haas)

12. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - not a rookie

13. Paul Aron (Alpine)

14. Pato O'Ward (McLaren)

15. Arvid Lindblad (Red Bull)

16. Arthur Leclerc (Ferrari)

17. Ayumu Iwasa (Racing Bulls)

18. Luke Browning (Williams)

19. Jak Crawford (Aston Martin)

20. Cian Shields (Aston Martin)

Top-10 in FP1

Friday 5 December 2025 10:45 , Kieran Jackson

1. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 1:24.485

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.008

3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.016

4. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.123

5. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) +0.144

6. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.248

7. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) +0.257

8. Oliver Bearman (Haas) +0.274

9. Carlos Sainz (Williams) +0.286

10. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) +0.370

Lando Norris finishes quickest in FP1

Friday 5 December 2025 10:32 , Kieran Jackson

A final push lap from the championship leader sees Norris take top spot by just 0.008 seconds to Verstappen.

Gosh, that is tight.

Charles Leclerc completes the top-three, also very close to Norris - just 0.016 seconds in it!

4-10: Antonelli, Hulkenberg, Russell, Bortoleto, Bearman, Sainz, Colapinto

Ryo Hirakawa the fastest of the rookies in 11th. Arvid Lindblad, in the Red Bull, is P15.

Max Verstappen on team radio:

Friday 5 December 2025 10:23 , Kieran Jackson

“I think something might be broken on the car - it’s everywhere now.”

The typical Verstappen FP1 moans!

Ryo Hirawaka fastest of the rookies

Friday 5 December 2025 10:20 , Kieran Jackson

The Haas driver, currently P11, leads the way in the rookie stakes.

Most drivers have switched to the mediums now, so no significant changes at the top as we enter the last 10 minutes.

Verstappen now P1

Friday 5 December 2025 10:08 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen 1st, Norris 2nd, Leclerc 3rd - a pretty tasty top three halfway through FP1!

Verstappen’s advantage is slim though, just 0.026 seconds, with all the top-eight on soft tyres now.

1-10: Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Antonelli, Hulkenberg, Russell, Colapinto, Sainz, Hadjar, Bortoleto

Bearman has an oil leak

Friday 5 December 2025 09:52 , Kieran Jackson

Unideal for the Briton, who is slowly guiding his car back to the pits as he has an oil leak.

And in the last few moments, Nico Hulkenberg has taken top spot away from Norris

Norris quickest early on

Friday 5 December 2025 09:43 , Kieran Jackson

It’s the way the weekend has started - will it be the way the weekend ends?

Lando Norris fastest on the medium tyre so far, with George Russell 0.035 seconds off in second.

Tellingly, Pato O’Ward - filling in for OscarPiastri - is third on the leaderboard so far.

FP1 underway:

Friday 5 December 2025 09:30 , Kieran Jackson

With unusually cloudy skies overhead in Abu Dhabi, we are all systems go for the final race weekend of the 2025 season!

Nine rookie drivers in total in this session, with Oscar Piastri missing out among the title contenders.

Can Lando Norris and Max Verstappen use this extra hour of practice to their advantage?