Hamilton beats Rosberg in F1 practice

World championship leader Lewis Hamilton set a blistering pace ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg in Friday’s practice for the season-ending Abu Dhabi grand prix.

The 29-year-old Briton was also quick to praise his team for the car they prepared for the double-points climax to the year.

“The car felt really great out there today and the team has done an amazing job,” said Hamilton, who hopes to seal his second world title on Sunday.

“It is the best car I have ever driven here at this circuit.

“It’s just been nice to get in the car. I was so excited to drive the car, like a kid at Christmas.”

Hamilton was fastest in the opening sunlit session and, in the evening twilight session, set a best lap of one minute and 42.113 seconds, 0.083sec ahead of Rosberg.

It was the 15th time in 19 races this year that Hamilton had been the fastest driver in second practice and gave him near-perfect preparation for Sunday’s 55-lap race at the Yas Marina circuit.

Hamilton, who has a 17-point lead over Rosberg, will be crowned champion if he can win or finish second, whatever his arch-rival and teammate achieves.

Germany’s Rosberg has to do the same and hope for some misfortune to hit Hamilton and permit him to outscore him by at least 18 points.

Hamilton’s performance boosted his hopes for a third pole in Abu Dhabi, achieving that feat for the inaugural 2009 race and in 2012.

Rosberg is seeking his first pole at the track.

“Pole is important for sure,” he said. “That will help a lot for the race, but even being second, there’s still so many chances.

“I try and approach it as a normal weekend. Of course, it’s not, because of the opportunity, but otherwise the approach is the same … I’m just trying to get the job done.

“We need to wait and see. The Williams was looking pretty good at some points today and, of course, I’m hoping they are closer!”

Dane Kevin Magnussen was third fastest for McLaren ahead of four-time champion German Sebastian Vettel, who on Sunday starts his 113th and final race with Red Bull before leaving for Ferrari to replace two-time champion Fernando Alonso.

Finn Valtteri Bottas of Williams was fifth fastest ahead of Australian Daniel Ricciardo in the second Red Bull.

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