Sebastian Vettel fastest in first practice ahead of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Ferrari's German driver tops times with lap of 1 minute, 39.006 seconds around 5.5km Yas Marina Circuit

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  Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel prepares for first practice ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit. Christopher Pike / The National

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  Mercedes-GP's Valtteri Bottas during first practice ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit. Christopher Pike / The National

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  Mercedes-GP's Lewis Hamilton, tied with Sebastian Vettel on three Abu Dhabi Grand Prix wins, drives out on to the Yas Marina Circuit track. Christopher Pike / The National

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  Red Bull's Max Verstappen, the most exciting emerging driver in F1, is out and about at Yas Marina Circuit. Christopher Pike / The National

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  Verstappen's teammate Daniel Ricciardo is eager to get out there to prove his title credentials for 2018. Christopher Pike / The National

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  The Australian Ricciardo has much to prove in the final race of the 2017 season. Christopher Pike / The National

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  Verstappen of the Netherlands will be one to watch out for in Abu Dhabi as well as in 2018. Christopher Pike / The National

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  Hamilton, meanwhile, has already saealed the F1 title but wants to keep the momentum going. Christopher Pike / The National

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  Crew members push Verstappen's car in the pits. Christopher Pike / The National

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  Felipe Massa will be driving in his final Formula One race, unless Williams find a way to convince him to stay - again. Christopher Pike / The National

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  Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen will likely be a handful in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National

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  Fans take in the first practise session at Yas Marina Circuit. Christopher Pike / The National

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  Crew members work on Verstappen's car during first practice. Christopher Pike / The National

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  Vettel won his first battle with Hamilton by recording the fastest time in the first practice session. Christopher Pike / The National

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  The German Vettel will want to end the season on a high after missing out on a fifth title. Christopher Pike / The National

Sebastian Vettel kept up the momentum from his win in Brazil two weeks ago as the Ferrari driver was fastest in first practice for Sunday’s Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The German, who has already been beaten to the world title for 2017 by Mercedes-GP’s Lewis Hamilton, topped the times with a lap of 1 minute, 39.006 seconds around the 5.5km Yas Marina Circuit.

Hamilton, who like Vettel is a three-time winner in Abu Dhabi going into the weekend, was 0.120 seconds slower, with Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen completing the top three.

Kimi Raikkonen, the 2012 winner in Abu Dhabi, was fourth in his Ferrari, ahead of the second Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas, with the Force India of Sergio Perez completing the top six.

Conditions in the summer sun proved treacherous for some, with Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg and the Haas of Romain Grosjean among those to spin.

Second practice, which also lasts for 90 minutes, starts at 5pm.

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