In a session cut to under an hour because of fog and then an errant medical helicopter, the two-time world champion showed few ill effects from his high-speed ride across the kerbs at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi 12 days ago.

Jenson Button was second fastest for McLaren ahead of Valtteri Bottas of Williams and Esteban Gutierrez of Sauber with the two Mercedes of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton fifth and sixth.