ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — McLaren driver Heikki Kovalainen set the fastest time in Friday's practice for this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Kovalainen, who is widely expected to depart McLaren after Sunday's race and is seeking to impress other teams, 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 was on course to challenge for fastest time before being baulked by another driver on his final flying lap.

Vettel is second in the championship standings, two points ahead of Brawn GP driver Rubens Barrichello, who was eighth fastest Friday.

Toyota driver Kamui Kobayashi, preparing for only his second career race after a debut in the previous round in Brazil, was fifth best, in front of Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi and Red Bull’s Mark Webber.

Second through seventh were separated by just 0.18 of a second, indicating a close race Sunday on a circuit that creates headaches for engineers, who must balance the need for straight-line speed on the two long straights with downforce in the twisty and technical sections.

Friday's second practice session gave drivers their first opportunity to experience the transition from a twilight start to a finish in darkness.