Abu Dhabi F1 2021: Hamilton and Verstappen arrive for Friday practice - in pictures

Mercedes and Red Bull rival are neck and neck in title race ahead of Sunday's season finale

Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen arrives at the Yas Marina Circuit before the first free practice session of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. AFP

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, arrives ahead of Friday's practice. Reuters

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton. Reuters

Red Bull's Mexican driver Sergio Perez arrives at the Yas Marina Circuit. AFP

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto and driver Charles Leclerc arrive ahead of practice. Reuters

McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo. Reuters

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. Reuters

Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing walks in the Paddock before practice. Getty Images

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands arrives at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi. AP Photo

Seven-time world champion Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton arrives ahead of practice. Reuters

Red Bull's Max Verstappen arrives ahead of practice. Reuters

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain arrives at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi. AP Photo

Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovinazzi arrives at Yas Marina Circuit. Reuters

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. Reuters

Sergio Perez of Mexico and Red Bull Racing walks in the Paddock before practice. Getty Images

Nicholas Latifi of Canada and Williams walks in the Paddock before practice. Getty Images

Pierre Gasly of Scuderia AlphaTauri and France with his girlfriend Katerina Imerelli of Spain during practice ahead of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021. Getty Images

Yuki Tsunoda of Scuderia AlphaTauri and Japan arrives at Yas Marina Circuit during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi. Getty Images

Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Mercedes GP walks in the Paddock with his girlfriend cyclist Tiffany Cromwell. Getty Images

Oscar Piastri of Australia and Prema Racing (2) drives on his way to the pitlane before practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship at Yas Marina Circuit on December 10, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Getty Images

Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Hitech Grand Prix drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship. Getty Images

Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Hitech Grand Prix drives during practice at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images

Oscar Piastri of Australia and Prema Racing drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship. Getty Images

Jack Doohan of Australia and MP Motorsport (11) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship. Getty Images

Marino Sato of Japan and Trident (25) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images

Roy Nissany of Israel and DAMS (16) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images

Robert Shwartzman of Russia and Prema Racing (1) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship. Getty Images

Christian Lundgaard of Denmark and ART Grand Prix (9) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship. Getty Images

Christian Lundgaard of Denmark and ART Grand Prix (9) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship. Getty Images

Bent Viscaal of Netherlands and Trident (24) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship. Getty Images

Roy Nissany of Israel and DAMS (16) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images

Guanyu Zhou of China and UNI-Virtuosi Racing (3) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship. Getty Images

Formula One title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have arrived at Yas Marina Circuit ahead of Friday's first practice session for the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Nothing separates the pair in the standings ahead of Sunday's season finale, with the Mercedes driver and Red Bull race tied on 369.5 points.

It means whoever finishes highest will be crowned the 2021 F1 world champion.

Should both Hamilton and Verstappen crash out, Verstappen will win the title by dint of having won more races this season (9-8).

Friday's first practice session is from 1-2.30pm with the evening session at 5pm UAE time.

Be sure to check out our coverage of the build up, including:

• Abu Dhabi to host Grand Prix until 2030 after signing extension with F1
• F1 issues ban warning to Hamilton and Verstappen if any trouble at Abu Dhabi GP
• Race to Abu Dhabi: How Hamilton and Verstappen arrive at Yas neck and neck
• Hamilton and Verstappen rule out clear-the-air talks ahead of Abu Dhabi GP