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Between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, it’s already a duel in the first Abu Dhabi free practice session

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The great duel for the world title has already begun in the first free practice session of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, at least as far as Lando Norris and Max Verstappen are concerned.

Martino DavidiVerstappen-Norris: the’former driver makes a brutal comparison. Photo

Verstappen-Norris: the'former driver makes a merciless comparison
Ralf Schumacher at the microphones of Sky Deutschland does not hold back as he compares Lando Norris with other F1 champions, including Max Verstappen
"You can’t change a cow into a tiger", is Schumacher’s brutal lunge at Norris
"Lando is showing too much weakness and is making too many mistakes"
"Drivers like Max Verstappen or Fernando Alonso are much more self-confident, they don’t even think about the possibility of braking a moment too late to make a fast lap"
"Lando instead is one who feels too much pressure"
"He can blow everything up with a little mistake, and I think that affects him a lot"

According to Schumacher, McLaren is banking on Oscar Piastri for the world title

In the standings Lando Norris is currently second, 22 points behind teammate Piastri

Max Verstappen is third, detached 43 points from the top

The McLaren Briton did indeed set the best time but the’Dutch reigning world champion trails him by just 8 thousandths in his Red Bull.

Third was the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc, 16 thousandths behind Norris, the younger brother of the Monegasque Arthur placed 16th at 875 thousandths from the top: a good performance then for the 25-year-old who took Lewis Hamilton’s place in this session.

Not on track was Oscar Piastri, the third duelist for the title, who gave way to Mexican Patricio O’Ward, who finished 16th. The world standings see Norris in the lead with 12 points over Verstappen and 16 over Piastri.

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