The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix FP1 session saw Lando Norris take the top spot, leading Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. The McLaren driver's performance sets the stage for a thrilling championship battle. Nine rookie drivers joined the practice, with Mercedes and Alfa Romeo sticking to their regular line-ups. Notable absences included championship contender Oscar Piastri, replaced by McLaren reserve driver Pato O'Ward, and Yuki Tsunoda, who handed his Red Bull to Arvid Lindblad, set to join the team in 2026.
Isack Hadjar, who will be replaced by Lindblad at Red Bull next season, led the pack at the start of the session. However, traffic and radio issues caused frustration for some. Carlos Sainz, Jr. took the lead briefly with a time of 1m 25.712s, but Norris was close behind. The session saw rapid changes in the leaderboard as times improved.
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli also made an impact, with Russell in second place and Antonelli in third. Norris experienced a snap during his first flying run on the soft tyres, but still managed to secure second place. Aston Martin's rookie drivers had a close call, and Haas' Ollie Bearman faced issues before retiring due to a sensor problem.
As the session progressed, Norris maintained his lead with a time of 1m 24.485s, just 0.008s ahead of Verstappen. Charles Leclerc spun at Turn 5, providing some entertainment for the spectators. The final standings saw Norris in P1, Verstappen in P2, Leclerc in P3, Antonelli in P4, and Russell in P6. Alfa Romeo's Nico Hulkenberg was in P5, followed by Gabriel Bortoleto in P7. The top 10 was completed by Bearman, Sainz, and Franco Colapinto. The session concluded with the drivers and teams analyzing data, preparing for the more crucial second practice session on Friday.
