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

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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.

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.