F1: Advantage Hamilton after practice for Abu Dhabi showdown – Gulf Digital News

F1: Advantage Hamilton after practice for Abu Dhabi showdown – Gulf Digital News

Lewis Hamilton pushed Formula One rival Max Verstappen off the top of the timesheets to end the opening day of practice for their title showdown at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix comfortably fastest.

The Briton lapped the revised 5.2-km long Yas Marina track in one minute, 23.691 seconds, the only driver to drop below the 1:24 mark with his 24-year-old Dutch rival fourth.

The Red Bull driver had lapped fastest in Friday afternoon's opening session of track action with Hamilton, whose quickest lap time was deleted, third.

But, the Dutchman could get no closer than 0.641 seconds off the Briton's benchmark in the evening, though he did appear to have the edge over Hamilton during the heavy-fuel race simulations.

"It’s been a relatively decent day," said Hamilton, while praising the changes made to the Yas Marina track in order to boost overtaking and give it a more flowing feel.

"We got through our sessions and still a bit unknown in terms of pace but I’m sure it’s going to be super-close like it has been in the previous races.

Verstappen and Hamilton head into Sunday's race, a winner-takes all showdown, level on points. But the Dutchman is ahead 9-8 on wins and will become champion