Hamilton edges Rosberg in opening practice for Abu Dhabi GP

Lewis Hamilton admits Mercedes’ race pace “doesn’t feel very good” after Friday practice but is happy that he feels more comfortable with the balance of his vehicle ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Lights went down on Sunday and Hamilton made one of the starts of his career, shooting into the lead before the first corner, a place that would later be uncontested for the Championship leader.

The Mercedes driver suggested immediately after the Brazilian GP “there have been some changes to our auto which seem to have shifted the direction of the waves”, but team-mate Rosberg is adamant that there has been nothing unnatural about the tide turning in his favour since Austin.

Hamilton blamed the incident on a lack of sleep and too much partying, which provoked his former McLaren boss Ron Dennis, who arrived in the Abu Dhabi paddock on Friday, to condemn his behaviour.

From filing to turn up for the post-qualifying photos when Rosberg claimed pole to demanding the team put him on a potentially more favourable strategy than his leading teammate, the cracks became increasingly evident – even his attempted defence of his second consecutive defeat sounded patchy.

The Red Bull of Daniil Kvyat was fourth with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Nico Hulkenberg in the Force India the only other drivers within a second of Hamilton.

Force India’s Sergio Perez was the Mercedes pair’s closest challenger in a surprise third, albeit six-tenths of a second slower than Rosberg’s benchmark.

Hamilton has finished second behind Rosberg in Mexico and Brazil after wrapping up his third world title with victory in the United States Grand Prix last month. Actually I think the whole atmosphere of the weekend is pretty cool.

“Lewis didn’t show his pace on one lap”, said Rosberg.

“It is clear that he still has some reserve. So that’s my target this weekend and hopefully I’m going to be celebrating with you all here in the UAE”.

“So, today is not the real picture”.

The one area of title-related interest is whether Williams driver Valtteri Bottas can hang on to fourth place behind Hamilton, Rosberg and Vettel and ahead of Raikkonen.

The reigning three-time world champion thinks there is a lot Formula One can learn from NASCAR, especially the access it gives to the fans.

“This has played quite a big role in the later races, and especially in Abu Dhabi which is an engine track”, he said.