F1: Kovalainen fastest in Abu Dhabi practice

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — McLaren driver Heikki Kovalainen has set the fastest time in Friday’s practice sessions for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Kovalainen, who is expected to leave McLaren after Sunday’s race, set a time of 1 minute, 41.307 seconds around the new Yas Marina circuit, edging teammate Lewis Hamilton by two-tenths of a second.

Brawn GP world champion Jenson Button was third fastest, ahead of Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, who is second in the championship standings.

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Toyota driver Kamui Kobayashi, preparing for only his second career race, was fifth best, in front of Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi, Red Bull’s Mark Webber and Brawn GP’s Rubens Barrichello.

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