F1-EL1: Grosjean ahead of Mercedes and Red Bull in Abu Dhabi

Romain Grosjean set the best time in the first free practice session held in Abu Dhabi. The Lotus driver completed a lap in 1'44"241 on a track which cleaned up in the session carried out in the afternoon in the heatwave. In these conditions, the teams preferred to limit the drivers' outings to prepare for the second session held in the evening which will offer the same characteristics as those encountered in qualifying and the race. However, the favorites have already responded since the Mercedes and Red Bull follow the Frenchman's Lotus. Lewis Hamilton et Sebastian Vettel were the closest to the Frenchman with two tenths behind. Mark Webber's Red Bull and Nico Rosberg's Silver Arrow complete the top five.

Kimi Räikkönen was well behind the wheel of his Lotus after being conspicuous by his absence in the paddock yesterday. The Finn set the sixth time, seven tenths behind his teammate. Paul di Resta follows seven tenths ahead of Jenson Button, Pastor Maldonado and Sergio Pérez who completes the top ten being the first more than a second behind the reference time. There Team Ferrari is behind since neither of the two F138s is in the top ten. Fernando Alonso finished 12th behind Nico Hulkenberg while Felipe Massa is only 17th behind Jean-Eric Vergne. James Calado, who replaced Adrian Sutil, set the 14th fastest time between the Williams by Vlatteri Bottas and the Sauber of Esteban Gutiérrez. Charles Pic finished 18th ahead of Heikki Kovalainen, Jules Bianchi and Rodolfo Gonzalez.

The second free practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be contested from 14 p.m. French time (17 p.m.).