Grosjean and Vettel lead the way in Abu Dhabi practice - Lotus and Red Bull top the times at the Yas Marina Circuit
Published by Christine
The temperatures in Abu Dhabi rocketed for the first practice session, with track temperature recorded at 46 degrees C. Tyre degradation was a significant problem, with Nico Rosberg instructed to look for shade on the straights.
There were three reserve drivers in action, with Rodolfo González, Heikki Kovalainen and James Calado all getting some track time. Lewis Hamilton set the benchmark time, but Romain Grosjean leapt ahead to secure P1. Sebastian Vettel was third fastest, and had a bit of a wobble coming into the pit lane, running wide into the box and narrowly missing his crew.
Vettel continued his slightly odd behaviour into second practice, reporting a funny smell in the car before pitting. Despite that, he still managed to get the fastest time by day's end.
Others were not so lucky, Paul di Resta suffered a suspension failure, Jenson Button picked up a puncture and Romain Grosjean had a brake failure. Drivers struggled to keep their cars on track leaving Vettel fastest, Mark Webber behind, with Hamilton third.
