Norris Leads Piastri as McLaren Stages 1-2 in Saudi GP Practice

Lando Norris led a strong McLaren 1-2 in Friday practice at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, edging out teammate Oscar Piastri by a narrow margin as both drivers rebounded from contrasting fortunes in Bahrain. Norris set the fastest time, despite admitting he is still not fully comfortable with his car, while Piastri arrived buoyed by his recent win. Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who struggled with balance issues, finished third, nearly three tenths behind Norris, and acknowledged that McLaren appears highly competitive. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Williams' Carlos Sainz completed the top five, while Lewis Hamilton continued to face challenges, ending the session 13th and trailing his teammate. The session was also marked by a crash for Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda and a missed start for rookie Gabriel Bortoleto due to a fuel leak. Norris expressed optimism but noted the competition remains close, emphasizing the need for further improvements before qualifying.