During the first practice session of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a humorous moment unfolded over team radio when Max Verstappen was informed of Arthur Leclerc ahead on track. Red Bull race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase reported, “You’ve got Leclerc Junior at three seconds.” Verstappen’s dry response—“I find it quite funny that you call him Junior”—showed his amusement at the nickname.
Arthur Leclerc, part of Ferrari’s young driver program, was stepping in for the second SF-25 while his older brother, Charles, had been fastest in the early running before suffering a spin. Arthur couldn’t resist joking on the radio himself, referring to his brother’s spin as a series of “burnouts,” adding levity to the session.
Later in the session, Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto queried about a Ferrari on track. The team’s reply—“Leclerc. The big Leclerc”—promptly earned him a concise acknowledgment: “Ah, understood.” Moments like these highlight the lighter side of F1, even amid the high stakes of the championship battle.
On track, Lando Norris set the pace, leading both practice sessions ahead of Max Verstappen as the fight for the title remained extremely close. These lighthearted radio exchanges offered fans a glimpse behind the scenes, showing that even at the season finale, drivers and teams can share a laugh while preparing for critical sessions.
The Abu Dhabi practice sessions demonstrated not only the fierce competition at the front but also the camaraderie and humor that exist within Formula 1, reminding fans that the sport has as much personality as it does speed.
Lando Norris topped both sessions, but for a brief moment on Friday afternoon, the Leclerc brothers and a chuckling Verstappen reminded everyone that beneath the championship fight, Formula 1 is still full of joy.
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