Abu Dhabi GP 2015

NOVEMBER 27, 2015

Practice 1 Report - The Stoppage

Lewis Hamilton
© Active Pictures

Nico Rosberg has been on a roll. He won the last two races, and he started the Abu Dhabi weekend hoping to end it with his third win of the season.

"I've had two really great weekends now in Mexico and Brazil, so I'm heading into the final race on a massive high," the Mercedes driver said. "Abu Dhabi hasn't always been an easy one for me. Of course, last year was probably my biggest disappointment - losing the title at the last moment with a mechanical problem.

"But I showed my speed there with pole position and I have good momentum behind me right now, so I'm aiming to end the season on a big positive this time around. Of course, it's also the last race for this incredible Silver Arrow - and it deserves a spectacular send off."

But Lewis Hamilton put a stop to Rosberg's roll, at least in Free Practice 1 for the season-finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, by clocking the fastest time in the session in his Mercedes.

The ambient temperature at the start of the 90-minute session was 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Centigrade) and the track temperature was 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Centigrade.)

The line-up for the weekend was: Mercedes Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Red Bull Renault Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat. Williams Mercedes Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas. Ferrari Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen. McLaren Honda Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button. Force India Mercedes Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez. Toro Rosso Renault Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz. Lotus Mercedes Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado. Marussia Ferrari Will Stevens and Roberto Merhi. Sauber Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr.

Jolyon Palmer took over Grosjean's car for the session. But the car was not ready to go when the green lights came on to start FP1.

Kvyat was the first out on the 21-turn 3.451-mile (5.554-km) Yas Marina Circuit. The drivers would use Pirellis's soft compound tires in FP1.

Rosberg set the first fast time of the session 1:44.626. Hamilton moved into second, but was .8 of a second slower than Hamilton.

23 minutes into the session, Hamilton buzzed in a 1:43.996. Rosberg had lowered his best to a 1:44.102, and then set a 1:43.895.

30 minutes into the session, the top 10 were: Rosberg, Hamilton, Raikkonen, Hulkenberg, Perez, Maldonado, Bottas, Verstappen and Button. Everybody headed for the pits and stayed there until Alonso went out 50 minutes into the session.

Nobody joined Alonso who clocked the ninth quickest time.

44 minutes into the session, Rosberg headed out.

Other than Alonso's ninth place, the order was the same midway through FP1.

With 35 minutes remaining in the session, Vettel popped up to ninth.

With 31 minutes remaining in the session, Hamilton took over first place with a 1:43.754, and Kvyat moved into fourth place.

So, with 27 minutes remaining in the session, the top six were: Hamilton, Rosberg, Raikkonen, Kvyat, Ricciardo and Perez.

With 14 minutes remaining in the session, Rosberg complained about a long brake pedal.

With 11 minutes remaining in the session, Palmer finally got on track.

With 5 minutes remaining in the session, Palmer had a spin at Turn 18.

With 2 minutes remaining in the session, Vettel moved into fifth place.

The top 10 at the end in FP1 were: Hamilton, Rosberg, Raikkonen, Kvyat, Vettel, Hulkenberg, Ricciardo, Perez, Maldonado and Massa.