McLaren’s Norris has to finish third on Sunday to be assured of his maiden world championship title.

Lando Norris stole an early advantage in Formula One’s title decider after he saw off world championship rival Max Verstappen by just eight thousandths of a second in first practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Norris, who has to finish third on Sunday to be assured of his maiden title, led the way, narrowly ahead of Verstappen, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc third.

Oscar Piastri, the other title protagonist, watched on from the McLaren pit-wall with Pato O’Ward, among nine rookie drivers in mandatory action, deputising for the Australian.

Piastri will be back in his McLaren for the second session which gets under way at 17:00 local time (13:00 GMT).

Norris heads into Sunday’s 24th an

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