ABU DHABI (REUTERS) - Nico Rosberg ended the final Formula One practice session of the season on a high on Saturday, with the Mercedes driver lapping fastest at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina circuit.

The German was 0.281 of a second quicker than team-mate and triple champion Lewis Hamilton, who is hoping to take a 50th career pole position in later qualifying for Sunday's day-to-night race.

Rosberg, overall runner-up for the second year in a row after winning the last two races, will be chasing his sixth successive pole.

Despite expressing doubts about his chances after having to use a high-mileage engine for the weekend, Rosberg was the only driver inside the 1min 42sec mark with a best lap of 1:41.856.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel was third fastest, ahead of Mexican Sergio Perez for Force India and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

Red Bull's Daniil Kvyat failed to complete a timed lap owing to an electrical problem.