Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time in the first free-practice session in Abu Dhabi ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
Only two young drivers were on track for the last FP1 of the year: George Russell in Esteban Ocon’s Force India, and Antonio Giovinazzi in Kevin Magnussen’s Haas.
If the session goes without major incidents, several drivers found themselves losing the rear while catching the brakes: it was the case for Nico Hülkenberg (Renault), George Russell or both Haas with Romain Grosjean up to touch the barriers with his rear wing, without major damage.
Under the chequered flag, Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) was the fastest in 1:39.006 and led by 1 tenths from Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). Max Verstappen put his Red Bull up to 3rd rank ahead of Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari).
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) was 5th ahead Sergio Perez (Force India). Despite a rather slow start of the session, Fernando Alonso (McLaren) was 7th ahead of his teammate Stoffel Vandoorne. Felipe Massa (Williams) and Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) completed the top 10.
