The championship leader was also fastest over race pace, running an average of 1:29.354 across nine laps on medium tyres, while Max Verstappen was second quickest at 1:29.677 — three tenths slower but covering 15 laps. Notably, after nine laps both were running almost identical pace, with Norris at 1:29.354 and the Dutchman at 1:29.363.

Piastri again struggled over race distance. After posting the eleventh fastest single-lap time, he completed his race simulation on mediums with an average of 1:29.741 over six laps.

Among the midfield runners, Kimi Antonelli on the Mercedes led the way with an average of 1:29.809 over eight laps, while Leclerc ran 1:29.981 across the same number of laps. Russell was slightly slower at 1:30.164 over nine laps.

Hamilton averaged 1:30.566 but only completed four laps, while Yuki Tsunoda ran a very similar pace at 1:30.586, covering seven laps — three more than the seven-time world champion.

The championship leader capped off his day exactly as he started it — on top. Norris closed FP2 fastest of all, beating his main title rival by 0.363s and firing a firm warning shot ahead of the Abu Dhabi showdown.

The Brit looked fully in sync with his MCL39 around a circuit that has always suited him, while his teammate endured a far tougher session, unable to piece together a clean lap and slipping outside the top ten.