F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2015: Nico Rosberg hampered by ‘old Mercedes engine’

Rosberg finished second practice fastest after Hamilton took the spoils in the opening session

Nico Rosberg finished fastest in second practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Getty Images)

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton continued their intra-Mercedes battle for supremacy during Friday's two practice sessions in Abu Dhabi for Sunday's grand prix.

Hamilton set the pace in the first, finishing one-tenth of a second ahead of Rosberg, who reversed the positions in the next. However, Rosberg suggested that he had been disadvantaged by having to use a high-mileage engine.

“We know it’s going to be difficult because I have an extremely old engine as a result of having lost my fourth engine for the year at Monza,” he said. “Lewis didn’t show his pace on one lap today, and it’s clear he still has some in reserve. Today is not the real picture.”

Hamilton himself was cagey. “I made some changes to the car and so far it feels relatively good,” he said. “I might make some more tweaks tonight.”

Off the track, the Formula One Commission has rejected the proposed alternative budget engine. A 2.2-litre turbocharged V6 engine, without the complex energy recovery systems, had been proposed by the Formula One chief executive, Bernie Ecclestone, and the sport’s ruling body, the FIA, to help the smaller teams survive.

The FIA had asked for expressions of interest from potential suppliers, but now it will be up to the major engine manufacturers to come up with cost-cutting and supply proposals by 15 January.

Toto Wolff made it clear that Mercedes, which dominates engine technology, would have no interest in such a thing. “F1 is not the place for this,” said the operation’s head. “It is very much a World Championship that is the pinnacle of the best drivers, cars and engineering. While that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t consider such things, with a balance of performance it would not be F1 any more.”

Final Times after Second Practice:

1 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Mercedes GP 1min 41.983secs

2 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:42.121

3 Sergio Perez (Mex) Force India 1:42.610

4 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Red Bull 1:42.647

5 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:42.717

6 Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Red Bull 1:42.798

7 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:42.849

8 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Force India 1:42.928

9 Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren 1:42.955

10 Pastor Maldonado (Ven) Lotus F1 Team 1:43.431

11 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Williams 1:43.441

12 Felipe Massa (Bra) Williams 1:43.506

13 Max Verstappen (Ned) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:43.662

14 Carlos Sainz (Spa) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:43.854

15 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Lotus F1 Team 1:43.929

16 Jenson Button (Gbr) McLaren 1:44.050

17 Felipe Nasr (Bra) Sauber-Ferrari 1:44.116

18 Marcus Ericsson (Swe) Sauber-Ferrari 1:45.245

19 Will Stevens (Gbr) Manor Marussia F1 1:46.450

20 Roberto Merhi (Spa) Manor Marussia F1 1:47.022