Hamilton dominates Abu Dhabi Friday practice

Lewis Hamilton emerged quickest in Friday practice for the season ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Mercedes driver edged his team-mate Nico Rosberg in both 90 minute sessions at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Hamilton, who is 12 points adrift of Rosberg ahead of Sunday’s title showdown, clocked a 1:40.86s on ultra-soft tyres to beat his team-mate by 0.07s.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel proved the best of the rest in third albeit 0.27s slower than the Mercedes title contenders.

However, the four-time world champion’s day came to an abrupt end when his car stopped on circuit with a gearbox failure at the end of the second session.

Red Bull once again produced a strong showing as Max Verstappen pipped his opposite number Daniel Ricciardo by one thousandth of a second.

Both drivers complained of power loss during the second hit out held under lights.

Kimi Raikkonen was sixth ahead of top Williams runner Valtteri Bottas, who headed the times early in Practice 2.

The Force India duo of Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg were eighth and ninth, while Felipe Massa, in his final Formula 1 race weekend, rounded out the top 10.

Jenson Button, who is also competing in what is likely be his final F1 race, was 12th behind McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso.

Toro Rosso endured a difficult day with drivers Carlos Sainz and Daniil Kvyat restricted to just nine laps between them in the second 90 minute outing.

The latter suffered two left rear punctures which prompted the team to halt both cars to investigate the issue.

Result: Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice 1

Result: Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice 2