And Fernando Alonso finally sets a time. 

The Spaniard does a 1:46.379 to go 12th quickest and around eight tenths quicker than Jenson Button.

The back end snaps away from Romain Grosjean on braking.  "I have lost the car two times on the left-hand side corner," he reports.

While Jenson Button will be hoping this weekend goes in slow motion, Grosjean would probably like to fast forward to the end. It's been a frustrating year for him and Haas.  

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Abu Dhabi

Image source, Getty Images

Childhood friends they may have been, but the tension of being each other’s sole competition for the world championship has told on the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. 

On this, both men were interesting on Thursday. Hamilton said: “We obviously had ups and downs but ultimately I think we’ve managed to – particularly in the last year and at the age we are – which is pretty old, considering when we first met – I think we’ve been able to manage it pretty well and I’m really happy for him and his family and proud of stepping away from being our competitive selves, proud of him of how he’s driven, particularly this year obviously and generally it’s been a pleasure having him as a team-mate.” 

Rosberg added: “The thing is that we still have from back in those days is the base respect and that will never go and that has definitely helped us through these years. For sure, I have a lot of respect for Lewis outside of the car and also inside the car. We’ve had some difficult moments but also some good ones over the past years and this year, generally, I think we’ve made progress and so yeah, it’s generally neutral but of course it is a difficult environment.”

John Watts: 1990 or 91, Clay Pigeon in Dorset. A star in the making..

Image source, Matt Watts Twitter

A sleek black McLaren has slinked out onto the circuit. Inside it is Fernando Alonso. No time yet from the Spaniard.

Glad to see Mohawk haircuts are still a thing these days. There's a chap in the stands who has used a vat of gel to produce a 10 inch spike down the middle of his head. 

It's all quiet on the track at the moment, as you can tell by the fact I've started people watching. 

Drivers are handing back their first set of tyres and grabbing the opportunity for a drink. It's baking today.

Tom Clarkson
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

When Jenson Button got the nod at that pre-season test in 2000, he telephoned his mum but she was out and so he left a voice message and his mum said that it was the most magical message she ever got.

He just said: "mum, I am a Formula 1 driver."

She said she got all choked up. She is here to see this race this weekend.

EssieQB: His jog to the podium after wining Monaco 2009 and parked in the wrong spot  

Matt Everitt: Montreal 2011 - 6 trips through the pits and from last to win. A true master of changeable conditions. Thank you!   

Oliver Cassidy: Canada 2011. Do I even need to explain why!  

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Twenty one drivers have set times with 52 minutes remaining. The only driver not to? Fernando Alonso. He's done seven laps so far.

Tom Clarkson
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

I don't think fans of Lewis Hamilton should be too alarmed by that spin. What we have seen him do quite a lot in practice sessions is explore the limits of the track and that is what he was doing there.

He is fastest, a couple tenths of a second quicker than his team-mate. All good so far.

Image source, Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton should have gone quicker. He's on the ultrasofts, but lost the back end of his Mercedes in the middle of that timesheet topping lap.

The title dance continues as Lewis Hamilton moves top of the timesheet, going two tenths quicker than Nico Rosberg. 

Meanwhile, the Red Bulls have come out to play, Max Verstappen goes third quickest, a second down on Hamilton's time, with Daniel Ricciardo fourth.

Image source, .

One of my favourite memories of Jenson Button is not on the track. It's when he had a taste of Rallycross in a BBC feature alongside David Coulthard. 

His face when he realised he was in a car that raced against his father in the 70s was brilliant, only topped by the sheer joy in his voice as he raced. 

Loved it. 

Mark Rogers: Running back up the Monaco straight after failing to pull over in the right place  

Amy #250: Obviously Canada 2011... drives like Spa 2012 were pretty epic.  

Alex Hannon: Driving half of the 2004 German GP with one hand because his neck strap went wonky. He finished second!  

Image source, Getty Images

Jenson Button is paying tribute to his finest moment in F1 today. He's wearing a bright yellow helmet that is similar to the one he wore while driving for Brawn GP in his 2009 world championship-winning season.

Image source, Getty Images

Matt Fowler: As Jenson starts FP1 for the last time today, thought I'd share my pic of JB in his F3 days. Knew he'd be a good 'un! 

Image source, Twitter

The tyre is coming away from the rim so Daniil Kvyat has decided to pull over in sector two.

The timing board is lighting up no. Sebastian Vettel goes third quickest with a 1:45.411 with Kimi Raikkonen fourth quickest, four tenths down on his team-mate.

Meanwhile, there's a Toro Rosso circulating very, very slowly. It's Daniil Kvyat and he's got a puncture. He's got a long way to go to get back to the pits as he has just come round Turn 4.