Pierre Gasly in action for Red Bull at Abu Dhabi as its 2017 tyre testing programme resumes.

While poor weather conditions hampered Mercedes two-day test at Barcelona, Pirelli anticipates no such problems in Abu Dhabi where a three-day test with Red Bull got underway today.

Cool temperatures and rain in the afternoon meant that Nico Rosberg could only complete 60 laps at Barcelona on Wednesday, while worsening conditions, including fog, restricted Pascal Wehrlein to just 31 laps on Thursday, the final day of Mercedes 2017 tyre testing.

In almost ideal conditions at the Yas Marina however, Pierre Gasly, who is seeking to secure the GP2 title here in six weeks, completed 81 laps in the Red Bull mule enjoying temperatures that reached 34 degrees C (air) and 46 degrees (track).

The conditions at Barcelona played into the hands of Pirelli which has been pushing for pre-season testing next year to take place in the Middle East, a view not shared by many of the teams including Red Bull.

"Obviously the weather hindered progress to some extent both today and yesterday, as is not entirely unexpected at this time of year in Europe," said Paul Hembery. "The same can apply to the early part of next year, which is why we are in favour of some guaranteed warm weather testing in 2017, before the season gets underway."