Abu Dhabi GP: Ferrari breaks curfew to work on cars

Ferrari used one of its four curfew exceptions on Friday morning as mechanics arrived at the track early ahead of opening practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

A report issued by F1 technical delegate Jo Bauer said that staff involved in the operation of the car were within the confines of the track during the curfew time, which starts at 4am and finishes at 10am.

It is understood that the Ferrari personnel came in to the track early to begin work rather than staying late the previous night preparing cars for FP1.

Ferrari heads in to the Abu Dhabi GP needing to end Sebastian Vettel's run of victories which has left him favourite for the championship.

Vettel holds a 13-point lead in the drivers' championship with three races remaining. Two more victories would be enough for him to secure his third consecutive drivers' title.

Alonso said on Thursday that he wanted every member of the Ferrari team to step up to the challenge of lifting the team closer to Red Bull.

"We need to compete at our maximum level, we need to find extra time from every single person in the team, every single mechanic, engineer, and driver," he said.

"All of us united, we need to find half a tenth and with this try to compete with Red Bull, which is on very strong form at the moment."