Renault Sport managing director Cyril Abiteboul expects no change in position on the future of the company's Formula 1 operation following the sacking of Carlos Ghosn.

The now former chairman and CEO was axed after being arrested in Tokyo this weekend on suspicion of financial irregularities which a whistleblower reportedly disclosed to executives at partner company Nissan.

Ghosn was a key supporter of Renault's return to F1 as a full works team in 2016 but with him now gone, some had pondered if his interim replacement Thierry Bollore would reconsider the program.

"It is a substantial piece of development for the Renault group," Abiteboul was quoted by Autosport when asked about Ghosn's exit.

"My message is simply that there is a continuity plan of all the operations of the Renault group, as well as Nissan and Mitsubishi.

"F1 is part of this operation. It is a project and an activity that is well known, very visible, generating a lot of exposure with clear expectations about a return on investment, and contribution to the business.

"I think the reasons why we joined F1 in late 2015 are still here today, for exposure, and for technology development.

"There is no reason that those factors are suddenly going away in case of any development for which I don't want to speculate at this point in time."

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With Renault struggling to close the gap to their rivals on the engine side, improvements in performance and results for the works team may be more important now, however.

But again, Abiteboul maintained the outlook remains the same.

"If F1 was still a good proposition in the past, it still has reason to be in the future," he said. "It is in our hands to deliver the best possible results [for the right costs] for the benefit of the company.

"I have no indication that Thierry Bollore is not keen about F1. Again, the director of our company has very good knowledge of what we are doing, so no teasing, no scepticism - just focusing on facts and what we need to deliver."

A battle between Mercedes and Red Bull is brewing at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after Valtteri Bottas led Max Verstappen in second practice.

Under the lights at Yas Marina, the Finn posted a 1m37.236s on the Hypersoft tyre during the mid-session qualifying simulation, just 0.044s clear of the Dutchman.

The speed of the RB14 in the final sector was proving decisive as only a little traffic on Verstappen's first flying lap saw him fall short of finishing fastest. Max would then fractionally improve on a second fast lap when the grip wasn't optimum.

Daniel Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton were just 0.015s apart in third and fourth, two-tenths off Bottas' pace but as with his teammate, the Australian's best time can on his second flying lap.

Ferrari are in the frame with Kimi Raikkonen the quicker Prancing Horse and fractionally behind the world champion in fifth while Sebastian Vettel was a tenth back as the top six were covered by exactly a third of a second.

The 'best of the rest' fight is looking tasty between Haas, Renault and Force India, three teams who aren't on the best terms it's fair to say.

It's the American team that continue to have the edge though, with Romain Grosjean seventh and Kevin Magnussen ninth.

Nico Hulkenberg moved upto eighth for French manufacturer while Esteban Ocon continued his strong pace, finishing four-tenths clear of teammate Sergio Perez in 10th, the Mexican was only 14th.

Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly also remained in a good position just outside the would-be points places in 11th as Carlos Sainz dropped to 12th.

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Fernando Alonso was a respectable 13th in the McLaren but Sauber are struggling with Charles Leclerc, who fell victim to the Turn 20 exit kerb, 15th and Marcus Ericsson 17th.

Stoffel Vandoorne was 18th ahead of his final F1 race with the two Williams of Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin completing the order.

A full look at the Practice 2 order can be seen below:

With the second session taking place at sunset, it meant conditions were much more representative even if temperatures could be a little warmer over the weekend.

That meant over the race simulation teams complete, tyre wear was less of an issue with only a handful of drivers reporting high degradation.

Red Bull would probably prefer if it was a bigger issue as they look to beat Mercedes, and the single lap pace of the Silver Arrows and Ferrari will be a worry in qualifying.

But based on Friday at least, any of the top six could take the checkered flag on the final lap on Sunday so a thrilling battle is in store.

Mercedes are to take two mechanical gambles as they go all out for victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend.

The first is not to change the engine Lewis Hamilton used in Brazil, despite suffering damage and an "imminent failure" warning during the race at Interlagos.

"The problem in Brazil was caused by a failure in the variable inlet system that caused unstable combustion," the team explained in a statement on Friday

"Engine settings were changed to contain the risk of failure and maximise performance during the race. We have made hardware changes outside the sealed perimeter and we are running that engine (PU3) today.

"Data will be reviewed after FP2 to make sure all is okay."

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The second risk is to re-introduce the controversial rear wheel rim design that was debuted in Spa but was taken off from the United States Grand Prix under the threat of a protest by Ferrari.

Requests for clarification had been made to the FIA on the matter, with the governing body declaring the design legal, but that wasn't enough to appease the Mercedes boss.

“We wanted to avoid the controversy,” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff told Sky Sports F1. “It was a very hot topic. Ferrari didn’t like them, [even though] we got permission from the FIA to run them.

"We didn’t want the championship to end up in the courtroom. We didn’t see it is a massive benefit.

"[Now] the championship is decided so we can have a controversy after the last race. It doesn’t affect the championship any more.

“We are testing them today and then we will decide whether we run them open or closed,” he continued. “Probably we will run them open and see what the effect is."

Haas have lodged a protest with the FIA over the legality of Force India in a matter believed to be related to their mid-season change of ownership.

In the regulations, each team is to enter a chassis into the championship which has been independently designed and built.

However, when the Silverstone-based outfit changed their entry to Racing Point Force India prior to the Belgian Grand Prix, if the design and intellectual property associated was not passed over in the takeover, the current incarnation of the team has theoretically been racing a car that isn't theirs.

All of this, ultimately, is about prize money because if Haas can prove that a regulation has been broken, Force India could be disqualified from the Constructors' Championship.

Also, it may be related to what is known as 'Column 1' payments from Liberty Media which usually a new entrant can't get until having completed three years on the grid.

Haas have been bound to that rule since joining F1 in 2016 and could be seeking some kind of compensation should the Racing Point Force India entry be exempt.

This comes at the end of a year when the American team has also come under a fair amount of scrutiny with complaints of being a Ferrari copy at the start of the year, then Romain Grosjean was excluded at the Italian Grand Prix for an illegal floor.

In the Constructors' standings, Haas are secure in fifth while Force India sit seventh and could still be in range of McLaren for sixth and Sauber behind in eighth.

Deputy Williams boss Claire Williams has claimed Robert Kubica was chosen for a 2019 race as he was "the best driver" available to the team.

On Thursday, it was confirmed the Pole would fulfil his goal of returning to Formula 1, eight years after his career appeared to have ended by a rally crash which left him with critical injuries.

Speaking after Kubica had driven in Practice 1 in Abu Dhabi on Friday, Williams insisted that desire had not driven the Grove squad's decision.

“It’s a great story, but to us, it’s not about the story, it’s about choosing the best racing driver for us,” she told Sky Sports. “It’s all part of the Williams puzzle to get us back to where we need to be.

“We did a full evaluation process with the pool of drivers we were looking at, but Robert has done a fantastic job for us this year.

“Even with the fact we didn’t select him going into this year in the race seat role, he’s still stepped up as our reserve driver and he’s spent so much time with the team.

“He has been really impressive working behind the scenes.”

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The backers for the driver he'll be replacing, Sergey Sirotkin, had suggested it was their call to pull the Russian out after a single season having been disappointed by Williams' level of performance.

Therefore, with Kubica offering sponsorship from Poland and Esteban Ocon unable to meet the financial demand, some think that could be the real motivation.

“His commitment, his tenacity on what he wants and what he wants to see the team doing is really impressive, with the feedback he’s been able to give and he’s a good driving force," Claire continued.

“Just such a tenacity that he has after his injury is so super impressive and if he applies all that next year, I know he’s going to do a great job for us.”

Daniel Ricciardo is leaving Red Bull having been "100 per cent broken" by Max Verstappen in 2018, according to Dutch Formula 1 pundit Tom Coronel.

The Australian had the edge over his teammate at the start of the year, winning twice in China and Monaco while Verstappen endured a mistake-filled first six races.

Since Canada, however, Ricciardo has rarely had a look in with pole in Mexico the only time he has out-qualified Max while the 21-year-old has nine podiums and two wins over the same period compared to Daniel's none.

"Ricciardo is 100 per cent broken by Max," Coronel told De Telegraaf.  "It's just going to gnaw at you when your teammate is constantly faster, while you have the same equipment, you can see in the data where it is, and you cannot [beat them].

"Then when you know there is someone on this planet that is faster than you, look, you're no longer a sportsman."

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The presence of Verstappen is one reason why some feel Ricciardo has taken the bold move to Renault for next season, and while longer-term the French manufacturer has ambitions of wins and championships, Coronel was again very dismissive.

"Renault, let's be very honest, is just a step back," he stated.

"They have the same engine as Red Bull, but Red Bull can score and Renault does not, so that means only one thing, and that is that you only go for the money because you know that you only have three to five years to go in F1."

Emotions are already running at Yas Marina as the 'Honey Badger' prepares to end his 10-year association with the Austrian energy drinks giant.

And speaking to The Players Tribune, Ricciardo offered an insight into the relationship he has built over that period.

I really want you all to hear this: I hope everyone understands that Red Bull is so much more than a brand. It’s a family, it’s a statement of what’s possible," he said.

"I feel incredibly privileged to have driven for Red Bull Racing and been part of the Red Bull family for 10 years.

"They gave me my break, and without Dr. [Helmut] Marko spotting me all those years ago, I don’t think I would have been able to make my way to F1, to my dream job.

"I will remember this team, these great people, this family, forever."

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff has finally confirmed Esteban Ocon will be the team's official reserve driver in 2019.

The writing has been on the wall for a while for the Frenchman, who'll be dropped by Force India after Sunday's race in Abu Dhabi and replaced by Lance Stroll for next season.

A final chance was possible at Williams but after Robert Kubica was announced on Thursday, Wolff finally took the chance to make the 22-year-old's future clear.

"He is going to be pretty close to the Mercedes team - he will be our reserve driver and third driver," he said in the team principals press conference.

"We hope to do the odd test with him, we are looking at pre-season and in-season but it's not sorted out yet.

"He will do a lot of time in the simulator to make sure that he is ready."

Ocon is expected to return to F1 as a race driver in 2020 and most expect that seat to be at Mercedes replacing Valtteri Bottas, who again played down the situation on Thursday.

As part of his role, however, Esteban could find himself also driving the Force India or Williams at some point next year as a reserve with the latter potentially offering more.

According to Sky Sports during Friday practice, Williams are keen to have a third driver on standby in case of an unexpected situation with Kubica's arm.

Some questions remain over his mobility at a circuit like Monaco, however, the Pole has previously insisted everything should be OK.

Valtteri Bottas believes his failure to win a race in 2018 makes this his "worst season" since joining the Formula 1 grid.

The Finn has been the victim of bad luck and having to play the team game for much of the year, notably losing a win to a puncture in Baku and giving up another to teammate Lewis Hamilton in Sochi.

Bottas does have a final chance for victory this weekend in Abu Dhabi, the site of his last win 12 months ago, but in reflection, the 29-year-old concedes it won't make up for the other disappointments.

“Last year was quite different to this year. It was my first year with the team, the first year alongside Lewis [Hamilton]," he told RaceFans.

“I remember this time last year I was disappointed, I didn’t meet my targets but now when I look back, at least then I won a few races. Some hopes.

"Now at this point at this very same point I’m even more disappointed, for sure. Yeah, I think this is the worst season so far.

"You can’t compare [to other years] because with Williams in ’13 we were fighting at the back. I felt that during my first year in F1 I can’t get my goals [for a] few seasons. Then a few seasons after were better than this one."

Despite his evaluation, Bottas does think he has improved as a driver even if results don't show it.

“I think there have been some very odd races,” he stated. “Just things haven’t gone my way. I’ve been quite unlucky in general this year. I don’t think there’s more than that.

“I know the fact that I performed better than last year. In the end that’s the only thing that matters after a season like this, one to learn from, one to kind of also forget but one that definitely will make me a tougher driver and person in the future.”

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Looking to the future, however, there is continued speculation as to whether 2019 will be Bottas' last at Brackley with only a one-year deal and Esteban Ocon sat on the sidelines waiting for a promotion.

“In F1 there are all sorts of talk and it’s only natural that every driver wants to use every opportunity," he commented.

“But it’s not my job to worry about that. I have an excellent relationship with everyone on the team, including Toto [Wolff]. We hide nothing from one another.

“If next year I achieve my goals and the goals of the team, then everything will be fine. If not, the team will rightly decide that I am not performing well enough.

“That’s the way it should be in sports.”

McLaren would be open to letting Fernando Alonso test the 2019 car next year, CEO Zak Brown has said.

Though this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is considered the final race of the Spaniard's long career, there is still a lot of maybe hope rather than expectation that he could return at some point in the future.

Alonso himself admits he can't give a certain answer on the topic as he can't predict his motivation in a year's time and his current boss doesn't see the double world champion straying too far away.

"Fernando is extremely intelligent and extremely experienced, loves Formula 1, loves racetracks, if he's not at a World Endurance race or F1 race, he's at an IndyCar race or he's at his go-kart track," Brown commented on Friday.

"So I think you'll see him around McLaren, he remains part of the family, and where his influence will come in is helping our two drivers, he knows Carlos pretty well, he's gotten to know Lando very well, so he'll be a big benefit there.

"And then with the engineers and just helping us all work together to understand what next year's car is doing, what the feedback is from the drivers and what would Fernando do in a certain situation, that experience will be very valuable to us."

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Asked then if an advisory role could expand into a test drive at some point, the American chief replied: "Yeah, I wouldn't rule that out.

"If he wants to test the car, we're certainly open-minded to that, getting his feedback on the car.

"[We'll] kind of cross that bridge when you come to it if he were to make that phone call."

Max Verstappen posted the quickest time as the final weekend of the 2018 Formula 1 season got underway in Abu Dhabi. 

Red Bull ran the Hypersoft tyre throughout the opening practice session, albeit in unrepresentative conditions, with the Dutchman posting a 1m38.491s to lead teammate Daniel Ricciardo by almost half a second.

Mercedes also used the pink-striped tyre initially and that gave them third and fourth with Valtteri Bottas leading Lewis Hamilton, albeit a full second off the leading pace.

Both drivers changed compounds after the mid-session lull, as Hamilton ran the Ultrasoft and Bottas the Supersoft, however, both would make key errors on their first attempted flying laps meaning they failed to improve.

The practice was also important to test the world champion's engine which was damaged during the last race in Brazil and could be changed if the team feel it may not last the full event.

Esteban Ocon sat fifth for Force India ahead of Kevin Magnussen as Ferrari eased into the weekend with Kimi Raikkonen seventh and Sebastian Vettel eighth.

With temperatures much higher than expected come qualifying and the race, it made sense for the Scuderia to focus on aero work and saving engine mileage.

Carlos Sainz put Renault ninth with Romain Grosjean completing the top 10 in the Haas.

The session was pretty calm with a spin for Marcus Ericsson on the exit of Turn 1 the only significant incident, as the Swede damaged his front wing against the inside barrier.

Bottas and Verstappen also narrowly avoided the wall on the outside of the Turn 5-6 chicane after carrying too much speed.

A lot of attention though was on a new kerb installed at Turn 20 aimed at stopping drivers abusing track limits.

Unsurprisingly quite a few did run wide onto it, flicking the paint up and some cement, so it will be interesting to see if it stays in place for Saturday.

Two 2019 drivers also got important track time with their teams as Antonio Giovinazzi finished P16 in the Sauber.

Robert Kubica also made an appearance in the Williams, finishing some way off the pace and bottom of the timesheets but the team insists the Pole was on a different program meaning times were not important.

A full look at the standings in Practice 1 can be seen below: