Ricciardo third in practice at Abu Dhabi

Australian Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo was placed third after second practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Daniel Ricciardo in action during second practice Abu Dhabi.

Australia's Daniel Ricciardo during the second practice session at Yas Marina Circuit. (AAP)

Daniel Ricciardo may be in trouble with Formula One authorities after he appeared to give the middle finger to fellow driver Romain Grosjean in practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The incident happened when the two drivers became tangled during the session, and Grosjean then sarcastically said the Australian wasn't in his way in an exchange with his garage over the team radio.

Ricciardo can then be seen driving past Grosjean and it appeared he gave him the finger.

After the session, Ricciardo returned Grosjean's sarcasm, saying he was just "shaking off" a hand injury.

"I had a bruised finger. I had an oversteer, and I was just shaking it off.

"He didn't mean it. It is only practice, so I am not phased by it. Heat of the moment. It was frustrating."

Meanwhile, world champion Lewis Hamilton has kept Mercedes on top ahead of his rival Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton finished behind Vettel in the day's first running at the Yas Marina circuit after the Ferrari driver picked up where he left off following his victory in Brazil a fortnight ago.

But it was Hamilton's turn to edge out Vettel in the evening session.

Under the floodlights, Hamilton clocked a best effort of one minute and 37.877 to finish clear of Vettel.

Red Bull were third in both sessions, with 20-year-old Dutch driver Max Verstappen taking that place in the first and Ricciardo in the second.

"It's been a good Friday, but I'm happy that it's the last one of the season," said Hamilton, who clinched his fourth championship in Mexico last month.

"We have a bit of work to do, but I feel like we're quite competitive here. It's relatively close still, but I like that."


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Source: AAP



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