Free 1: Hamilton leads McLaren 1-2 after opening practice at Abu Dhabi

Lewis Hamilton has headed a McLaren 1-2 in this morning’s opening practice session at the Yas Marina circuit, ahead of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 2008 World Champion was followed home by Jenson Button, with the reigning World Champion of Sebastian Vettel a close 3rd behind the McLaren duo.

The opening practice session of the weekend took place in glorious weather conditions, with bright sunshine bathing the picturesque Yas Marina circuit. Once again several reserve drivers were able to enjoy valuable track time with their respective teams, as Valtteri Bottas [Williams], Jules Bianchi [Force India], Giedo van der Garde [Caterham], Max Chilton [Marussia] and Ma Qing Hua [HRT] took to the track in the opening 90 minutes.

As ever, the opening practice session was slow to begin with, as the entire field carried out several installation laps in the opening 20 minutes. Eventually rookie Max Chilton completed the first timed lap of the session, with a rather slow 02:27.380, as HRT’s development driver Ma Qing Hua went 2nd with an equally uncompetitive time. However, as the session progressed, the Toro Rosso of Jean-Eric Vergne shot to the top with a much quicker 01:48.885.

The Frenchman was able to quickly improve upon his time at the top, eventually setting a 01:46.708. Valtteri Bottas then disposed of the Toro Rosso driver at the top of the timing sheets, with a 01:46.085 as the times quickly began to tumble. Pastor Maldonado slotted into 2nd position, as reserve driver Bottas improved upon his time with a 01:45.602.

After a slow start to the opening practice session, the majority of the field finally took to the track to try and thwart the likes Vergne and Bottas at the top. Eventually Valtteri Bottas was replaced at the top of the timing sheets by the Mercedes of Michael Schumacher, before Championship contender Fernando Alonso asserted his authority over proceedings with an impressive 01:45.099. Whilst the likes of Alonso and Schumacher traded fastest times at the front, Giedo van der Garde remained stuck in the pit-lane with his Caterham suffering from engine-related issues.

As the session passed the halfway mark, the McLaren duo began to show their pace around the Yas Marina circuit. Lewis Hamilton initially set an eye-opening 01:44.001, over a second faster than the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso. As the track improved and the fuel loads decreased, the Briton was able to consistently better his time, eventually setting a 01:43.285 ahead of team-mate Jenson Button.

The McLaren duo remained at the top as the session drew to a conclusion, with Lewis Hamilton remaining fastest as Jenson Button gradually reduced the gap between the two. Despite McLaren’s early pace, Sebastian Vettel still finished the opening session of the weekend in the top three with 3rd, +0.765 seconds off the pace of Lewis Hamilton. Fernando Alonso was 4th fastest, with Mark Webber 5th for Red Bull.

Although no true predictions for the weekend can be drawn from the order after the first practice session, McLaren certainly seem to have improved since the Indian Grand Prix last weekend. However, Sebastian Vettel still remains the favorite, as the teams now take a short break before the second practice session later in the day around the Yas Marina circuit.

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