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.