British McLaren driver Lando Norris set the fastest time in the first and second free practice sessions ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, scheduled for tomorrow at the Yas Marina Circuit, which will conclude the Formula 1 World Championship. In the first practice sessions, with a lap length of 5.28 km, Lando Norris recorded a time of 1 minute and 24.485 seconds, narrowly beating his main rival for the championship title, Dutchman Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who finished second. Third place went to Ferrari's Charles Leclerc with a time of 1 minute and 24.501 seconds. Yas Marina Circuit General Manager Ali Al Busheir confirmed that the "Night Track" is a new addition to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in its 17th edition, which will take place tomorrow to close the Formula 1 season. The race result will determine the Drivers' World Champion for the current season in an event that allows fans to access the track to witness the trophy ceremony. This season, for the first time since 2010, the title fight is among three drivers. In the second free practice session, which started at 5:00 PM local time on the same day as the Sunday race, Norris set the day's fastest time and claimed first place with a time of 1 minute and 23.083 seconds, once again outpacing Dutch driver Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who finished second by 0.363 seconds. British Mercedes driver George Russell put in a strong performance, finishing third with a total time of 1 minute and 23.462 seconds. The economic impact of the race week last year reached 1.25 billion dirhams, and it is expected to increase in this edition. In an interview with "Al Ittihad," Ali Al Busheir said: "Circuit fans are in for a new level of excitement, which will determine the announcement of the 2025 World Champion, in a battle that will see Dutch driver Max Verstappen, winner of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the last four seasons, and the current championship leader, Briton Lando Norris, as well as his teammate at McLaren, Australian Oscar Piastri. We are once again at Yas Marina Circuit committed to providing additional packages, adhering to the demands of fans seeking a unique experience. Among these is the 'Night Track,' being introduced for the first time, which offers ticket holders on the Main Grandstand the opportunity to go down to the track after the race and participate in the trophy ceremony." He explained: "We at Yas Marina Circuit strive to reflect the identity of Abu Dhabi in all our products, and our primary goal is always to make the racing experience different from all others. We look forward to a new step towards success at an event where Yas Marina Circuit will, for the fifth time in history, witness the announcement of the Drivers' World Champion in Formula 1. The 'Night Track' package is a testament to our accumulated experience and is coupled with the highest safety standards after complying with all regulations of the FIA, confirming our commitment to adding value for fans of this sport, whether they are Emirati or international." He added: "Since its launch in 2009, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has succeeded in making a unique mark not only through its modern circuit and unique race that starts at sunset and finishes under the lights at night, but also through the quality of the product we strive to provide every year at the end of a long season that everyone wants to enjoy the atmosphere of." A record-breaking race week is expected. Ali Al Busheir confirmed: "There is a strong desire to make the Abu Dhabi experience unique. Each year, we measure the level of fan satisfaction with their presence here according to the outlined strategy, not only in terms of elevating the race's prestige and competitiveness, but also in terms of the quality of the product offered to the public, thanks to the work of the team and the constant desire to innovate." He continued: "Last year's edition set a record for the race week with the presence of 192,000 spectators, and our ambition for the 2025 edition is to reach a new record number, with fans coming from more than 105 countries. After adding new products that will increase capacity by about 2,000 spectators, the most prominent of which is the '360' product, which will create a unique experience at Turn 16 of the circuit. It consists of a grandstand built over more than one level, with each level offering a unique experience." The Economic Aspect. Al Busheir emphasized the economic aspect, which is a parallel part of hosting major international events, and said: "The economic impact of the race week last year reached 1.25 billion dirhams, and it is expected to increase in this edition, in an event that brings together sports, entertainment, and tourism." Lando Norris dominates the first and second free practice sessions. British McLaren driver Lando Norris.
