Abu Dhabi GP: Lewis Hamilton tops first F1 practice

The Mercedes driver clocked a 1m43.754s, 0.141s clear of team-mate Nico Rosberg, with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen six tenths further back in third.

There were warm and sunny conditions throughout, with a number of teams using the opening part of the 90-minute session to carry out aero data gathering.

Rosberg led the way after the first half an hour, just over a tenth clear of team-mate Hamilton by the time the teams had to give back the sets of tyres permitted only for the first 30 minutes.

The German was on course to improve that time on his next run, going fastest in the first two sectors, but he ran wide in the final sector and backed off.

With 30 minutes to go, Hamilton usurped his team-mate and remained unchallenged for the remainder of the session.

Daniil Kvyat was fourth quickest ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Nico Hulkenberg, whose Force India team is celebrating its 150th grand prix in its current guise.

Daniel Ricciardo, reverting to the older spec Renault engine in his Red Bull, was seventh ahead of Sergio Perez.

Pastor Maldonado and Felipe Massa completed the top 10.

Valtteri Bottas, who is just one point clear of fellow Finn Raikkonen in the battle for fourth place in the drivers' standings, was 11th ahead of Max Verstappen.

Jenson Button edged McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso by a tenth and a position to take 13th, but he was two second adrift of Hamilton.

Jolyon Palmer, promoted to a Lotus race seat next season, sat out the majority of the session while his team tended to water leak.

The Briton got out in the final few minutes of the session, completing a handful of laps and having a spin as he ended up 18th.

Roberto Merhi, who has swapped places with Alexander Rossi for this weekend, was just over a second adrift of Manor team-mate Will Stevens in 20th and last.

FP1 TIMES