(Motorsport) The Yas Marina Circuit saw an eventful practice session that saw Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton comfortably at the top of the time sheets while championship rival Max Verstappen played catch up in fourth position. Despite the Red Bull driver setting the pace in the first practice, it was Hamilton who comfortably led the pack in practice two followed by Esteban Ocon in his Alpine, Valtteri Bottas in the Mercedes and Verstappen who had a significant six-tenths deficit to Hamilton. 

The seven time World Champion led with a 1:23:691 at the Yas Marina Circuit while Verstappen could only muster a 1:24:332 in the newly configured and faster Yas Marina track. However, Red Bull can take solace in the fact that despite being slower over a lap compared to Mercedes, Sergio Perez showed good pace as the Mexican was within a tenth of Verstappen in fifth place. Fernando Alonso in the other Alpine car would have been ahead of Max Verstappen if not for a track deletion and the veteran was sixth.

Speaking after the practice session, Hamilton said “I feel great, still a bit of an unknown in terms of pace but I’m sure it’s going to be super close”. Verstappen added “Of course clearly the short run didn’t go to plan, lacking a bit of pace. But I think the long runs were quite a bit more competitive”. Apart from the grid leaders, it was the AlphaTauri and Ferrari cars who were the most competitive in the midfield while the session ended with a crash for Kimi Raikkonen in his Alfa Romeo after the Finnish racing driver smashed into the barriers. His team faces an uphill task to ensure the car is ready for qualification and the race in what would be his final Formula 1 race of his career.

As things stand, Hamilton and Mercedes are clearly the favorites heading into the 58 lap race in Abu Dhabi with the Silver Arrows having a straight line speed advantage and are blisteringly quick through the middle sector. Red Bull boss Christian Horner said “They look very competitive here, we just need to tidy up the balance for the short run”. A lot could change between now and Sunday if Red Bull finds overnight improvements ahead of qualifying and it is now or never for the two teams with the World Championship being decided on the outcome of the race.

Also read: A battle for the ages: How Verstappen and Hamilton made Formula 1 exciting again