Abu Dhabi GP: Hamilton edges past Rosberg in opening practice

Defending world champion Lewis Hamilton fended off his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg to emerge as the fastest driver in the opening practice session for this weekend's final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.

The Briton, who clocked his best lap in one minute and 42.869 seconds, was three-tenths of seconds faster than his title rival Rosberg.

Red Bull were once again Mercedes' closest rivals, with Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo making third and fourth finish, respectively.

Meanwhile, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel was fifth quickest ahead of Force India's Sergio Perez and Ferrari's of Kimi Raikkonen.

Earlier, Hamilton took the championship battle with Rosberg to the final race of the season by winning the 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix in Sau Paulo.

Hamilton was required to win all the remaining races since the Japanese Grand Prix to take the Championship battle to the last race of the season.

And the 31-year-old did manage to do the same as he went on to clinch victories in United States, Mexico and Brazil to cut down Rosberg's 33-point lead to just 12-points.

Rosberg,on the other hand, just needs to make a podium finish on Sunday to secure his first ever World Championship title.