Fernando Alonso's time of 1:44.581 is currently good enough for top spot. Daniil Kvyat is second, three tenths off the pace, with Jean-Eric Vergne third and Jenson Button fourth.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg headed back to the pits without setting a lap time.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Abu Dhabi

"There was a lot of attention on McLaren on Friday here, the team bringing a new Red Bull-inspired front wing as they look to 2015. Kevin Magnussen ran it and professed that he 'thinks it's positive for the future'. The wing is a different approach to aerodynamics than McLaren have pursued in recent years, in that it aims to produce more consistent downforce, so the car is more usable, rather than higher peak downforce but with the risk of instability. It worked exactly as the team expected, Magnussen said.

"But they will not use it again this weekend as, on the current car for which it was not designed, it is slower. It was a terribly fractured day for Jenson Button, with the first session lost to a suspension problem and half the second to a hydraulics issue, he does not have the time to experiment with new parts. Button was doing his best to keep smiling, though. Asked if there were any positives from the day, he said: 'There's a good selection of ice-creams and I liked my coffees, so that's a positive, I guess.'"

Title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are out and about. Soft tyres are the order of the day for now. Expect to see the super-softs later in the session.

Fernando Alonso is the first man to set a timed lap, the Ferrari driver keen to make up for lost time after failing to set a lap time in second practice on Friday following an electrical problem.

The final, er, final practice of 2014 is under way with the Williams of Valtteri Bottas the first man out under bright blue skies.

Image source, Getty Images

The Abu Dhabi GP organisers know how to put on a show. As well as the on-track action, a series of concerts close out each day. Yesterday, DJ Armin van Buuren was in action, with The Who and Pharrell Williams set to take the stage over the next couple of days.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Abu Dhabi

"Pole position would mean a lot to both Mercedes drivers this weekend - but who is going to get it? Nico Rosberg will want it because it gives him the best possible chance to win the race - which he realistically needs to do to have a chance of winning the championship. Lewis Hamilton will want it for pride reasons - he has been out-qualified by his team-mate this season overall - and because he wants to go out in style, by taking the title with a win, rather than following Rosberg home. Although he has hinted he will do exactly that if necessary. Who is favourite to start at the front of the grid?

"After Friday, you would have to say Hamilton. He edged Rosberg for fastest lap in both sessions, was quicker on low fuel, and by a much bigger margin on high fuel (although this was probably too big a gap to be properly representative, as something like 0.5secs a lap). He was working the tyres less - uniquely suffering front degradation when everyone else was struggling with the rears. And he simply looked more impressive, especially in the final sector of the lap here, where he has always been spectacularly good. 'I always love driving this track,' Hamilton said, 'but the car is the best I have ever driven here. It is really fantastic. It is very close between us and I am just working away to chip away at it.'"

So here we are, at the final race of the season. And what a season it has been. Where has the time gone, eh? Well now seems like a good time to reflect on the best moments of 2014. The BBC F1 team have done it already - and you can watch their memories here. Fire over your thoughts via the #bbcf1 hashtag, texting 81111 (UK only) or leave a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Carl Dolan:, external Excitement mounts here in Abu Dhabi #bbcf1 - unfortunately means I am missing the #Bromsgrove Xmas light switch on with my family.

Image source, Getty Images

In a season where 450 points have been up for grabs, just 17 separate Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Who deserves the world title? Well here are the stats - I'll let you decide.

Image source, Mercedes

Mercedes:, external Chairman Niki up early to oversee the morning fire up!

So final practice will kick off at 10:00 GMT with live coverage on BBC Two, the video console at the top of the page and on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra. That session will last an hour and provide the teams with one final chance to tinker with their motors. We'll also see drivers complete a qualifying-simulation run, on the super-soft tyres, ahead of the final qualifying session of the year.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Abu Dhabi

"The sun is shining as it does on, well, just about every day here in the Gulf and the stage is set for a fantastic showdown in qualifying as the sun sets on Yas Marina later on. The atmosphere has been building through the weekend, and tension is mounting as the decisive moment of this particularly intense and focused title battle approaches.

Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg? The two Mercedes team-mates have one more hour of practice, starting at 1000 GMT, to hone their cars ahead of qualifying. Friday was advantage Hamilton, by the smallest of margins. But who has done what Hamilton described as their 'homework' best overnight. The next hour or so will provide vital clues."

Image source, PA

Pressure? What pressure? It's 'just another weekend' according to Lewis Hamilton, who along with title rival Nico Rosberg plays down their day with destiny.

Image source, Getty Images

Hello and welcome to the penultimate day of the Formula 1 World Championship. After eight months and 18 races, we have arrived in Abu Dhabi with the title fight still alive and kicking.

Lewis Hamilton leads Nico Rosberg by 17 points. Ordinarily, that would mean the Briton needs just a sixth place finish tomorrow to guarantee the title. But this isn't an ordinary race. Oh no.

We have double points, leaving 50 points on the table for the winner. That means Hamilton needs second, if Rosberg wins. So folks, it's all to play for.

Lewis Hamilton nailed it on Friday, laying down a marker as he headed both practice sessions. Can he carry that momentum into final practice and more crucially qualifying later today?

Image source, AFP