Red Bull’s Max Verstappen led the way in the first practice session in the Formula 1 championship showdown at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
He was 0.196 seconds quicker than Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas, while Verstappen’s title rival Lewis Hamilton was third, 0.346secs off the pace.
Hamilton had a quicker lap – just 0.033secs off Verstappen’s pace – deleted for exceeding track limits.
The two are tied on points heading into a winner-takes-all finale on Sunday.
Whoever finishes ahead in the grand prix will be the champion.
If neither finish, Verstappen will take the title on the basis of having one more win.
