Lewis Hamilton has claimed the fastest time during the first practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

In sparkling form, the McLaren driver was 0.333 seconds quicker than team-mate Jenson Button in second place.

Championship favourite Sebastian Vettel, of Red Bull, was third, 0.765secs off the pace.

Title rival Fernando Alonso was fourth fastest as Ferrari tried out a number of new parts.

Mark Webber, or Red Bull, was fifth ahead of Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher and Williams’ Pastor Maldonado.

Schumacher’s team-mate Nico Rosberg was eighth fastest; ahead of Williams reserve driver Valtteri Bottas and Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen.

The race is scheduled for Sunday at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.