F1 news live: Lewis Hamilton quickest in FP2, Christian Horner sends mockery warning

F1 preview: Abu Dhabi run-through as Verstappen and Hamilton go head-to-head

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We are now just days away from the climax of one of the most fascinating and thrilling Formula One seasons of all time. Who will take the crown? Will it be Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen?

Remarkably, the two drivers will head into the finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix locked on the same number of points.

Sunday’s race is a straight shoot-out as Hamilton and Verstappen go toe to toe one more time for the F1 championship.

The Brit has the momentum after completing a hat-trick of wins in Saudi Arabia last weekend to close the deficit to 0.

He will have experience over Verstappen, who is bidding to win his maiden world title while Hamilton is going for a record eighth.

The Red Bull driver however has the edge in terms of race wins this season as the Dutchman has one more (9) to his name than his rival does.

JUST IN: Max Verstappen accused of being ‘disingenuous’ after mocking FIA for taking his money

That has provided a dramatic subplot to Sunday’s race, with fears growing that Verstappen may try to crash with Hamilton.

The Dutchman, who is an aggressive driver anyway, has a clear incentive to do that as he will be crowned champion if they both fail to finish the race. 

Verstappen has claimed that is just ‘media talk’ in response to talk of the two rivals crashing. 

Hamilton, meanwhile, may be given an engine change after Ted Kravitz claimed ‘it’s possible’ Mercedes could drop a new power unit in the car for Sunday’s race in a bid to give the Brit the edge.

It’s all heating up nicely ahead of the the final race, and the drivers will get the chance to test out the track this morning in free practice. Express Sport is on hand throughout the day to provide you with all the latest updates from the F1 world as Hamilton and Verstappen’s great battle edges closer to its conclusion, so make sure you stick around.

KEY EVENTS

Horner’s warning

Red Bull chief Christian Horner has sent a stark warning ahead of Sunday’s big race.

Much has been made of the possibility of one of the most dramatic battles for top spot in history ending up being decided by the stewards.

But Horner has claimed that any bad decision in Abu Dhabi is in danger of making a ‘mockery’ of the sport.

READ MORE

Here’s how it finished in FP2

Lewis Hamilton went the quickest in the second practice session with Max Verstappen finishing in fourth. 

See the full standings from the session below.

Mercedes leading the way in FP2

It’s been all Mercedes in FP2 with Hamilton and Bottas setting the pace.

Hamilton has gone quickest so far in sector 1 and sector 3 while Bottas has the best time in sector 2.

Hamilton’s title rival Max Verstappen is currently struggling in P4. Again, take this with a pinch of salt but Mercedes will take a lot of encouragement from this.

Bottas almost suffers disaster

FP2 is underway and there is plenty of cars out of track.

Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate almost suffered disaster on turn 14 when he kissed the side of the wall.

He is not the first one to be caught out on that part of the track Estaban Ocon also going close to clipping the wall on that corner… so it could be one to watch out for this weekend.

Toto Wolff and Christian Horner put rivalry to one side

Toto Wolff has made a surprise gesture to Christian Horner ahead of the season finale at the Abu Dhabi GP.

Wolff and Horner have had a prickly relationship this season, spending much of the year at each other’s throats as their drivers Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have fought it out on track.

And the two went face to face on Friday ahead of the second practice session in Abu Dhabi. 

READ WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY HERE

Christian Horner aims cheeky dig at Abu Dhabi circuit changes

Red Bull boss Christian Horner has teased Sky Sports pundit and former F1 driver Karun Chandok for his part in planned changes to the Yas Marina circuit this weekend, joking that it’ll now favour Mercedes as the season draws to an end. 

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Hamilton heavily backed by Express readers

Lewis Hamilton is being heavily backed to defeat Max Verstappen at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

We asked our readers who will win the final race of the season and you can see their responses below.

FP1 comes to an end

The first hour of practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has come to an end, with Max Verstappen leading the way.

Valtteri Bottas came ahead of his team-mate Lewis Hamilton in second ahead of his final race for Mercedes.

Hamilton won’t be too concerned though by coming in third as he’ll want to save his best for Saturday and Sunday, when it really counts.

Verstappen sets quickest time in practice

It’s obviously early days, but there are some encouraging signs for Max Verstappen and Red Bull as the Dutchman has put in the quickest time already in the timesheets. 

Verstappen is currently leading the session with a time of 1:26.463 while Lewis is just behind him in second with 1:26.782.

A slightly hairy moment for Verstappen

Max Verstappen appeared to concern Charles Leclerc just now after the pair got close on the track in practice. 

An on-board camera showed Leclerc gesticulating to Verstappen as he raised his hands to question the Red Bull driver.

Verstappen didn’t appear to do much wrong but is also having troubles of his own after telling his team over the radio his steering is ‘quite badly right hand down’.

Verstappen and Hamilton out on track

The two title protagonists are out on the track for a vital hour of practice ahead of this weekend’s decisive race.

Verstappen followed Hamilton out of the pits, joining Charles Leclerc on track. Both drivers are on soft tyres as they try to get their heads around this new-look layout.

Abu Dhabi track changes

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen go into the final race of the season level on points at the top of the table, setting up a dramatic finale in Abu Dhabi. Whoever finishes higher will ultimately win the title. But with a few track changes to Yas Marina, every millisecond could make the difference.

Three key areas of the circuit have been changed ahead of this weekend’s race.

While the changes appear minuscule, it could allow for huge differences in lap time.

READ THE FULL DETAILS BELOW

Hamilton’s ‘possible’ engine change

Lewis Hamilton could be given an engine change, according to Ted Kravitz.

“What do Mercedes fear most? Max Verstappen taking out Lewis Hamilton and winning the championship that way,” said Kravitz on Sky Sports.

“I don’t really see there are any other things they have to fear.

“They have the package that seems to be quickest at the moment, they have done the hat-trick in the last three races and they always have the option of putting a new power unit in.

“[An engine change] is possible because then what do Red Bull fear most? A Mercedes the like of which Lewis Hamilton had in Brazil, which was nigh-on unbeatable.

“Not my words – the words of Christian Horner, the Red Bull team principal.”

Morning all

And welcome to today’s live blog.

We’ll be keeping you up to date with all the latest news in the F1 world, including plenty about Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen as their battle for the championship goes down to the wire. 

There is also free practice in Abu Dhabi today so make sure you stay right here with us for the latest news and developments.

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