The broken record that is Formula One continues to replay the same notes over and over as Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg dominated the open round of practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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With both driver and team championships having long since been decided, the anxiety which surrounded this race in the desert past year, where Hamilton beat Rosberg to the title, is somewhat lacking.
The duo again led the way during practice at the Yas Marina circuit on Friday, with Rosberg setting the fastest time of the day in P2 as he finished 0.138 seconds clear of Hamilton.
“Traditionally, Hamilton has not been as precise or fussy about his set-up as Rosberg, his more free-wheeling improvisation allowing him to get pretty much the same lap from a variety of set-ups”.
Despite finishing Friday slower than Rosberg, Hamilton is confident he can deliver when it matters on Saturday and end the German’s run of five successive pole positions.
“I feel good. I made some changes to the auto and so far it feels relatively good [on the short runs]”.
The unresolved ongoing engines saga has left the Red Bull and Toro Rosso teams without confirmed power-units for next season and in danger of leaving F1.
The second Ferrari of Sebastian Vettel was only 0.040s behind the first Red Bull, while the second Red Bull of Daniel Ricciardo was seventh, separating the two Sahara Force India team-mates, Nico Hulkenberg placing sixth and Sergio Perez eighth. It’s very close but I’m ahead now and I’m quicker and that’s it.
Hamilton sealed his third championship in Austin last month, but has subsequently seen his team-mate win consecutive races.
Rosberg, disappointing for so much of the year, has put his foot on the gas in recent weeks, winning the last two races in Brazil and Mexico. “So that’s my target this weekend and hopefully I’m going to be celebrating with you all here in the UAE”.
Spanish rookie Carlos Sainz parked his Toro Rosso by the side of the track with half an hour to go after being told to turn the engine off.
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“It was a really cool event and I hope I get to do one, one day”, said Hamilton, who flew to Miami to support four-time champion Jeff Gordon on Sunday.
