Hamilton completes McLaren sweep

Lewis Hamilton completed a clean sweep for McLaren with the fastest lap yet in final practice at the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix on Saturday.

The 2008 world champion, who was also fastest overall on Friday after team mate Jenson Button led the opening session, lapped in one minute 38.976 seconds on a scorching afternoon at Yas Marina.

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, his second world title already wrapped up long before his return to the circuit where he became the youngest champion a year ago, was second on the timesheets and 0.427 slower.

Vettel can equal Nigel Mansell's 1992 record of 14 pole positions in a single season later on Saturday but Hamilton looks a good bet to ensure his moustachioed compatriot's milestone remains unbeaten.

The Briton has been outstanding all weekend, determined to end a depressing season on a high with strong results in the final two races to banish talk of controversies, crashes and conflict with Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

However Vettel, who spun and hit the barriers on Friday, can always be counted on to pull something out of the bag when it matters most.

Massa was only seventh fastest, while team mate Fernando Alonso was fifth.

Australian Mark Webber, still chasing his first win of a season dominated by his Red Bull team mate, lapped third quickest with Button fourth.

Italian Jarno Trulli failed to set a time for Team Lotus.

Times
01. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m38.976 17 laps
02. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m39.403 + 0.427 18 laps
03. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m39.427 + 0.451 18 laps
04. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m39.429 + 0.453 16 laps
05. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m39.661 + 0.685 16 laps
06. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m40.135 + 1.159 19 laps
07. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m40.183 + 1.207 18 laps
08. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m40.429 + 1.453 21 laps
09. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m40.511 + 1.535 19 laps
10. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m40.938 + 1.962 18 laps
11. Bruno Senna Renault 1m41.509 + 2.533 21 laps
12. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m41.527 + 2.551 21 laps
13. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m41.566 + 2.590 20 laps
14. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m41.594 + 2.618 18 laps
15. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m41.622 + 2.646 18 laps
16. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m41.855 + 2.879 18 laps
17. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m42.025 + 3.049 19 laps
18. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m43.409 + 4.433 22 laps
19. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m43.861 + 4.885 5 laps
20. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m45.262 + 6.286 23 laps
21. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 1m45.302 + 6.326 20 laps
22. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m45.509 + 6.533 22 laps
23. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 1m45.732 + 6.756 20 laps
24. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1 laps

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.