The Formula 1 title fight is Lando Norris’ to lose, and he doesn’t look like losing.

The British driver went fastest in both of Friday’s practice sessions as he laid down a marker ahead of the three-way title decider at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Norris beat title rival Max Verstappen by just .008 of a second in the first session and stretched that gap over the Red Bull driver to .363 in the second, which was more representative of the day-night conditions for Sunday’s race.

The only way Norris can lose the title is if he finishes the race outside the top three. Norris leads Verstappen by 12 points and teammate Oscar Piastri by 16.

Norris and Piastri are each looking to win their first title and Verstappen is aiming for his fifth in a row.

“Of course, I have the most to lose because I am the one at the top,” Norris said Thursday. “I’ll do my best to stay there till the end of the year, a few more days. At the same time, if it doesn’t go my way, then I’ll try again next year. It’ll hurt probably for a little while, but that’s life.”

Piastri skipped the first session and was only 11th in the second, .680 off Norris’ time, and the Australian is yet to show much competitive pace.

Norris has denied he’ll ask Piastri to help out to at least ensure one McLaren driver becomes champion if it seems Verstappen will take the title.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has opened the door to team orders, but if Norris has the sort of pace he showed Friday, they won’t be necessary.

Verstappen’s chances were revived when McLaren botched a strategy call in Qatar, one race after Norris and Piastri were disqualified in Las Vegas.

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