ABU DHABI // Lewis Hamilton strengthened his psychological advantage going into Sunday’s championship-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix by finishing fastest on the first day of the season’s final weekend.
The Mercedes driver, who leads teammate Nico Rosberg by 17 points in the championship standings, was quickest in both practice sessions at Yas Marina Circuit on Friday. The drivers traded fastest times throughout the afternoon, but Hamilton ended both sessions top of the time sheets, the first by 0.133 seconds and the second by 0.083.
It was an imposing performance by the 2008 world champion, who proved quicker than his championship rival on both low and high fuel. With Hamilton needing to finish second to secure a second world title, he was in buoyant mood.
“The car feels great, the best I’ve ever driven here without doubt,” said Hamilton, 29. “The team have done an amazing job. Coming into the weekend, I was already excited and couldn’t wait to get out on track, but when you know you have a package as competitive as ours it’s like being a kid at Christmas.”
Rosberg, who was faster than his teammate in the 5.5km circuit’s first two sectors before his performance dropped off in the third, knows where and how he can improve his lap time. With one more practice session this afternoon, the German intends to return to the car for qualifying at 5pm much improved and ready to take pole position.
“It’s been a good day, but I really haven’t got my best lap together yet, so there is still a lot of work to do over the rest of the weekend, Rosberg said. “In general, the car felt great out there. I just need to fine-tune it so the set-up is exactly to my liking, then go for it and get the job done.”
Mercedes have confirmed they have not produced the customary celebratory T-shirts bearing Hamilton’s or Rosberg’s name as they want to limit the heartbreak one of their drivers is set to face. Toto Wolff, the team principal, spoke yesterday of the “good spirit” in the garages and the need to maintain respect for each other.
“Without doubt, the tension and pressure are on, which is normal when the championship comes down to the final grand prix of the season, but actually it doesn’t feel any greater than at any other race,” Wolff said. “There is a good spirit in the garage and we are all looking forward to seeing what the rest of the weekend holds.”
Williams, the team expected to take the challenge to Mercedes this weekend, finished almost a second off the pace, while Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari pulled up stricken on the side of the track having suffered an electronics failure. The Spaniard predicted qualifying will be “the hardest of the year”.
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
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