Saturday, 2 November 2013 00:00
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ABU DHABI, 1 November (Reuters): Romain Grosjean put Lotus on top of the timesheets in first practice for the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix on Friday with newly-crowned four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel third fastest.
The Frenchman, comfortably faster than team mate Kimi Raikkonen who won last year’s race, lapped the Yas Marina circuit in the searing afternoon heat with a best time of one minute 44.241 seconds late in the session.
Lewis Hamilton, winner in 2011 and twice on pole at the circuit, was second quickest for Mercedes and just 0.192 slower than Grosjean.
Vettel was 0.258 off the pace on a slippery track that, with track temperatures hovering around 40 degrees, will be far cooler during the day-to-night race.
Raikkonen, who triggered speculation about his relationship with the team, when he failed to appear for Thursday’s media activities at the circuit, finally turned up and was sixth fastest with a lap of 1:44.929.
Grosjean has beaten Raikkonen in the last two races and finished on the podium in the last three.
