GP Abu Dhabi: Free practice 1 & 2

1. L. Hamilton, McLaren, 1:43.939 (18 laps)
2. J. Button, Brawn, 1:44.035 (20 laps)
3. S. Vettel, Red Bull, 1:44.153 (28 laps)
17. V. Liuzzi, Force India, 1:46.239 (22 laps)

1. H. Kovalainen, McLaren, 1:41.307 (35 laps)
2. L. Hamilton, McLaren, 1:41.504 (34 laps)
3. J. Button, Brawn, 1:41.541 (39 laps)
15. V. Liuzzi, Force India, 1:42.530 (33 laps)

The Yas Marina circuit got its first taste of Formula 1 today as the impressive facility in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s newest development came alive with the first day of practice ahead of the final round of the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship on Sunday.

The initial practice got underway at 13:00hrs local time owing to the later start of Sunday’s race, with the ‘afternoon’ session kicking off at 17:00hrs. As a result drivers got the opportunity to experience the track in daylight, twilight and ultimately under the lights to get an accurate picture of expected conditions in the race. Tonio used the sessions to also evaluate the set-up and aero balance of the VJM02 on the new track and recorded the 17th quickest time of the session in the morning and 15th in the afternoon.

Tonio commented: “It’s a great facility here, still quite slippery with the dust but it was very interesting to drive in such different light conditions over the day. It went quite well today. I think we are very competitive and have a very strong car on higher fuel loads. We still need to work a lot on the low fuel conditions as we are not spot on but I think we are going in the right direction with the car and can be happy with the progress we made today. We knew it would be hard but it’s not easy for anybody with this high temperature to find a balance but I am positive for tomorrow.”