Photo: Race Pictures

Norris posts strong Friday showing but refuses to celebrate 'just yet'

17:47, 05 Dec

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byTobia Elia

Lando Norris said there’s “nothing to smile about” despite a strong Friday showing in Abu Dhabi.

"Nothing to smile about just yet, as we know it gets closer as the weekend goes on, but a good starting point"

- Lando Norris

The championship leader set the fastest time in both the first and second sessions, stretching the gap to second-placed Verstappen by nearly four tenths over a single lap.

"A decent first day in Abu Dhabi, although there's still a little bit more to find in the car," Norris said at the end of the day.

"I'm not completely happy with it just yet, but overall, it's been a positive day. Nothing to smile about just yet, as we know it gets closer as the weekend goes on, but a good starting point."

The Brit was also the quickest and most consistent over race pace, delivering an extremely solid stint on the mediums and second to none.

Lando Norris at the Abu Dhabi Thursday Press Conference - Credit: RacePictures

Piastri to make 'a few tweak overnight' after sloppy Friday in Abu Dhabi

In the first session, the other McLaren driver ceded his MCL39 to Pato O’Ward, costing himself valuable laps to get comfortable with the track and leaving him a step behind his main title contenders.

He returned to action in the afternoon for FP2, but couldn’t make significant gains, ending the day in eleventh. The Australian struggled to deliver a competitive lap on the soft tyres and ran slower than both his teammate and Max Verstappen over race pace.

Here’s his reaction at the conclusion of the practice sessions.

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