FP1: Vettel betters Hamilton

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix got underway this Friday as drivers begun the first practice session, and Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton were once again fastest, with the German just edging out the world champion in a low-key opening to the weekend.

This may be the last Grand Prix weekend of the racing calendar, but teams are still taking the opportunity to test new chassis alterations and tyres.

Ferrari and Kimi Raikkonen started FP1 with a new diffuser with unconventional aero sensors, while Mercedes took to the track with a new wing.

Hamilton started the practice positively and led the way before losing out to Raikkonen and Daniel Ricciardo. The Finn set the benchmark with a time of 1:39.841 but this was quickly bettered by Mercedes as Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas returned to the track with their ultrasoft Pirelli tyres.

Ferrari would gain the upper hand on Mercedes again, however, as Vettel eventually came out with the soft tyres to set a time of 1:39.006 - 0.120s better than Hamilton.

Max Verstappen and Bottas were third and fourth behind Hamilton then Vettel respectively, while the top six was rounded out by Raikkonen and Sergio Perez.

FP1 results:

1 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:39.006
2 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:39.126 0.120
3 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:39.154 0.148
4 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:39.518 0.512
5 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 1:39.741 0.735
6 Sergio Perez Force India 1:40.293 1.287
7 Fernando Alonso McLaren 1:40.522 1.516
8 Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren 1:40.569 1.563
9 Felipe Massa Williams 1:40.723 1.717
10 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 1:40.773 1.767
11 George Russell Mercedes 1:41.131 2.125
12 Romain Grosjean Haas 1:41.306 2.300
13 Lance Stroll Williams 1:41.581 2.575
14 Pierre Gasly Toro Rosso 1:41.646 2.640
15 Carlos Sainz Renault Sport 1:41.748 2.742
16 Pascal Wehrlein Sauber 1:41.752 2.746
17 Nico Hulkenberg Renault Sport 1:41.864 2.858
18 Antonio Giovinazzi Haas 1:42.065 3.059
19 Marcus Ericsson Sauber 1:42.344 3.338
20 Brendon Hartley Toro Rosso 1:42.585 3.579