Lewis Hamilton laid down a marker for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix by producing the fastest lap in Friday practice.
The McLaren driver, who has a slim chance of winning the title in Sunday’s season-ending race, went round in one minute 40.888 seconds at Yas Marina.
Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull, third in the standings, was second quickest with a 1:41.145 and Ferrari’s championship leader Fernando Alonso third.
Vettel’s team-mate Mark Webber was 0.427 seconds off the pace in fourth.
Click Here to Read More
Formula 1: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Second Practice Results
Formula 1: Sebastian Vettel Fastest in First Practice at Abu Dhabi
Formula 1: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - First Practice Results
For Alonso, who has won three of the last five races, the situation is far more desirable. Finish first or second and the title is his. He is bidding for a third drivers’ championship but his first for Ferrari.
If, however, Alonso finishes third or worse, victory for Webber would see the 34-year-old Australian clinch his maiden title. Webber is currently second in the standings, eight points behind Alonso. BBC Sport
Twenty minutes before that the 2008 world champion almost crashed into Bruno Senna as the HRT driver slowed and tried to get out of his way; he took evasive action and ran off the track.
Soon after Hamilton had set the pace, Jaime Alguersuari lost control of his Toro Rosso at turn 19 and had to abandon it. When the yellow flags were put away, the Briton improved to his final time.
Many of the drivers including the title contenders moved on to super-soft tyres in the closing 20 minutes, while the customary high fuel loads late in this session meant there were no significant changes in the order.
The Red Bull drivers had a mini contest despite lapping six seconds slower than their best efforts, Vettel coming out on top throughout.
The most dramatic incident as the circuit fell into darkness was Ferrari’s Felipe Massa somehow running out of fuel and having to coast to a standstill.
He finished sixth in the standings behind Robert Kubica, separating the Renaults with Vitaly Petrov behind the Brazilian.
Reigning world champion Jenson Button - no longer in the title fight - was eighth in the McLaren ahead of Vitantonio Liuzzi of Force India and Mercedes duo Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher. Yahoo! Eurosport UK
| 
|