Norris quicker than Verstappen in Abu Dhabi practice, Piastri lags

ABU DHABI, Dec 5 : McLaren's Formula One leader Lando Norris made a perfect start to the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend with the fastest laps in both Friday practice sessions while Red Bull rival Max Verstappen was second.

The Briton, 12 points clear of the four times world champion after 23 of 24 rounds, was 0.008 quicker in an unrepresentative afternoon session and then 0.363 faster in the second at night under the Yas Marina floodlights.

Verstappen was noted by stewards for impeding Norris in an early misunderstanding after being fed wrong information by his race engineer, but they decided not to investigate further.

"What's this guy doing? I almost crashed," exclaimed Norris.

PIASTRI LAGS IN 11TH PLACE 

Teammate Oscar Piastri, the third title contender but four points behind Verstappen, was 11th on the timesheets after sitting out the first session with Mexican IndyCar driver and F1 reserve Pato O'Ward getting track time.

The Australian looked strong on long runs, however.

"Oscar is not totally dialled in yet but he will get there," said McLaren boss Zak Brown. "I've been impressed with both of our drivers coming into the weekend, they seem more relaxed than normal."

Mercedes' George Russell, who could play a disruptive role in the title battle on Sunday, was third in practice two with Haas's Oliver Bearman fourth and Nico Hulkenberg fifth for Sauber ahead of his 250th start. 

"The car is insane. I don't know how the car is so good," exclaimed Bearman over the team radio.

Last year's race winner Norris was one of only 11 race regulars taking part in a first session otherwise handed over to young prospects and development drivers.

Verstappen, a four-times winner in Abu Dhabi, had sounded concerned over the radio