Motorsport: Mind games ramp up for final race

The psychological games have been ramped up ahead of tonight's anyone-can-win-it, championship-deciding Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi.

All the contenders confident of success.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso leads by eight points from Mark Webber, with his Red Bull team-mate a further seven behind, while McLaren's Lewis Hamilton is an outside chance although he's 24 points behind Alonso.

A win is worth 25 points, 18 for second, 15 for third and down through to one point for 10th place.

Naturally, all drivers are upbeat with Vettel in particular warning he can find more speed in the crucial qualifying session overnight. Hamilton set the pace in Friday practice from Vettel, Alonso and Webber but all four were separated by less than half a second.

Vettel was generally satisfied with the opening day but sent out a clear warning ahead of Saturday's qualifying hour.

"All in all I was pretty happy, I think there is some lap time still to gain so we will analyse things now and hopefully pick up some pace," Vettel said.

Alonso said he was focused on nothing but a race win and would not let the various calculations distract him.

"I feel good, we have had a good day and showed that we are competitive so for that I am happy," he said.

"I am not too stressed, but maybe the stress will rise on Sunday.

"That is normal, too. But I know we have a very good team and for this race we can win only 25 points."

- AAP