Lando Norris was furious with Max Verstappen as the fair complete the final practice sessions ahead of the F1 title-deciding race in Abu Dhabi.
Nine months of drama and 24 race weekends all come down to one Grand Prix as the Formula One title will be decided at the Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday.
After back-to-back wins in the Las Vegas and Qatar Grand Prix, four-time champion Verstappen has inserted himself back into title contention alongside current favourite Norris and Oscar Piastri.
With Norris heading into the race as a heavy favourite, the pressure on the Brit to win his maiden Driver’s Championship is higher than ever, while Verstappen has claimed he feels relaxed having not lead the championship standings at any point this season.
And it appears that these attitudes may have gotten the better of both men during the second practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris could all win the 2025 title in Abu Dhabi. (Image: Getty)
In order to secure the 2025 title, all Norris needs to do on Sunday is finish the race on the podium, regardless of what Verstappen or Piastri manage to do in the race.
Meanwhile Verstappen’s most-likely route to the title would be to win the race while Norris finishes in P4 or lower.
Ahead of the race, the pair tested their cars during two Free Practice sessions on the Yas Marina circuit, and in the second session Norris was left fuming with the Red Bull driver as they came close to a collision on turn 1.
“What’s this guy doing? I almost crashed,” Norris radioed as he narrowly avoided a slow-moving Verstappen.
The incident was immeditaely noted by FIA stewards as they checked to see if Vertsappen was impeding his title rival.
However, after reviewing the incident, the stewards decided to take no further action against the Dutchman.
It was later revealed that the reason for Verstappen causing issues for Norris was simply due to a miscommunication on the Red Bull team radio.
As the British driver approached Verstappen, he was told: “You’ve got Norris… not opening a lap behind you.
“Or maybe he is coming through….”
Norris had a close call with Verstappen during practice for the Abu Dhabi GP. (Image: Giuseppe CACACE / AFP via Getty Images)
Verstappen and Norris will have one final practice session on Saturday morning ahead of qualifying for the main race which is set to get underway at 14:00GMT.
The season-defining final race will then take place on Sunday afternoon at 13:00GMT.
