Yas Marina (United Arab Emirates) (AFP)

Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) clocked the fastest time of the first free practice session of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, 21st and last round of the Formula 1 World Championship, on Friday at the Yas Marina circuit (5.554 km).

But whatever happens, the Finn will start at the back of the grid Sunday after a change of engine beyond the quota allowed per season, following a breakdown in Brazil in mid-November.

His time of 1 min 36 sec 957/1000, signed in medium tires, placed 535/1000 ahead of the Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and 634/1000 ahead of his British teammate Lewis Hamilton, both wearing soft tires.

The session was interrupted twice by a Renault engine crash of the Australian Daniel Ricciardo and a spin of the German Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari).

Ricciardo does not risk a penalty on the grid for a change of engine that was in any case expected, said his team.

Ferrari and Renault have a busy program of repairs by free practice 2 to 17:00 local (14:00 French / 13:00 GMT), the only ones who stand in the conditions of qualifying and racing at dusk.

. 1st free practice session:

Valtteri Bottas (FIN / Mercedes) 1: 36.957 (23 turns)

Max Verstappen (NED / Red Bull-Honda) 1: 37.492 (22)

Lewis Hamilton (GBR / Mercedes) 1: 37.591 (20)

Alexander Albon (THA / Red Bull-Honda) 1: 38.084 (23)

Sebastian Vettel (GER / Ferrari) 1: 38.906 (19)

Romain Grosjean (FRA / Haas-Ferrari) 1: 39.146 (18)

Charles Leclerc (MON / Ferrari) 1: 39.249 (18)

Kevin Magnussen (DEN / Haas-Ferrari) 1: 39.350 (19)

Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA / Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 1: 39.423 (20)

Nico Hulkenberg (GER / Renault) 1: 39.505 (22)

Lando Norris (GBR / McLaren-Renault) 1: 39.628 (18)

Lance Stroll (CAN / Racing Point-Mercedes) 1: 39.864 (23)

Kimi Raikkonen (FIN / Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 1: 39.888 (17)

Sergio Perez (MEX / Racing Point-Mercedes) 1: 39.901 (17)

Daniil Kvyat (RUS / Toro Rosso-Honda) 1: 39.969 (20)

Pierre Gasly (FRA / Toro Rosso-Honda) 1: 40.401 (17)

Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP / McLaren-Renault) 1: 40.687 (23)

Robert Kubica (POL / Williams-Mercedes) 1: 40.792 (21)

Daniel Ricciardo (AUS / Renault) 1: 40.850 (12)

George Russell (GBR / Williams-Mercedes) 1: 41.362 (24)

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© 2019 AFP