Bitter-sweet practise for Hamilton
LEWIS Hamilton landed an early psychological blow ahead of Formula One’s Abu Dhabi title showdown by lapping faster than Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg in both of yest practice sessions.
The Briton, 12 points behind the championship favourite going into the final race, lapped the Yas Marina circuit with a quickest time of one minute 42.869 seconds in the early afternoon, when he also had a harmless spin.
The triple world champion then clocked 1:40.861 in the floodlit evening practice.
Rosberg, who need only finish in the top three on Sunday to be sure of his first championship after being beaten in the last two years by Hamilton, was second in both sessions – 0.374 slower in the first and 0.079 off in the second.
Hamilton reported a strange feeling with the gearbox in the evening session but Mercedes said it was one used only on Fridays and of no significance for the race.
The Red Bulls of Dutch teenager in Spain in May, would instantly hand the championship to Rosberg.
Although the underdog, Hamilton has won the last three races and can count on strong support judging from the banners around the circuit.
Brazilian Felipe Massa, preparing for his 250th and last race, was ninth and 10th fastest for Williams, while Jenson Button was 12th for McLaren.
— Reuters