**Piastri Shines in Abu Dhabi Practice as Rivalries Ignite**Readmor

**Piastri Shines in Abu Dhabi Practice as Rivalries Ignite**Readmore

Australian rookie Oscar Piastri is gearing up for a strong finish to the Formula 1 season, delivering the second-fastest time during practice sessions ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. While Piastri impressed on the track, fiery rivalries off the circuit dominated headlines.

**McLaren Sets the Pace**

British driver Lando Norris led the second practice session, clocking a fastest lap of 1:23.517 at the Yas Marina Circuit. His McLaren teammate, Piastri, was just two-tenths of a second behind, showcasing the team’s formidable performance as they push for their first constructors’ championship since 1998. Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg completed the top three.

Earlier, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped the opening practice session ahead of Norris and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. However, Leclerc’s efforts were hampered by a 10-place grid penalty for installing a new battery pack. This setback further challenges Ferrari’s bid to close a 21-point gap to McLaren in the constructors’ standings.

“We need to do something special and overperform,” admitted Leclerc, acknowledging McLaren’s exceptional pace.

**Strategic Challenges for Teams**

With their last constructors’ title coming in 2008, Ferrari faces mounting pressure to deliver a near-perfect performance. Leclerc’s penalty makes their task even tougher. Meanwhile, Norris tempered expectations despite McLaren’s strong showing, noting that other teams may not have revealed their full potential yet.

“It probably looks better than it is for us,” Norris cautioned. “We’re still refining the balance and focusing on tyre management for longer runs.”

**Off-Track Drama**

Tensions reached a boiling point as reigning champion Max Verstappen called Mercedes driver George Russell a “loser” and a “liar” in response to comments made by Russell in a pre-race press conference. The verbal clashes add another layer of intrigue as the season nears its conclusion.

**What’s at Stake**

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix serves as the season’s climactic showdown, with McLaren’s resurgence and Ferrari’s pursuit of glory setting the stage for a thrilling finale. As teams gear up for qualifying, the competition remains fierce, and every fraction of a second could prove decisive in determining the ultimate winners of the 2024 season.