Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel has edged out Lewis Hamilton of McLaren during the second practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The world championship leader was slight 0.168 seconds quicker than British driver Hamilton, who had earlier se the pace in the first session.

Jenson Button, also of McLaren, was third fastest.

He was followed by Red Bull’s Mark Webber, with the Ferrari of title rival Fernando Alonso a distant seventh.

This is particularly discouraging for Ferrari, who have installed a series of new parts in Abu Dhabi in an attempt to close the performance gap between themselves and Red Bull.

Ferrari have taken a new front wing, new under-nose barge boards and new rear wing endplates to the emirates of Abu Dhabi.