Formula One news

Hamilton shines in first practice

Lewis Hamilton ended up top of the first practice session of this weekend's British Grand Prix. Ferrari was also very much on the pace with Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa managing to come within one to two tenths of a second of Hamilton's best time of 1:21.100s. Fernando Alonso was fourth quickest in the second McLaren. 

Williams were also impressive with Nico Rosberg and Alexander Wurz 'sandwiching' the two BMW Saubers - best of the rest regulars Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld - in fifth and eighth respectively. Then there was a significant gap of around six tenths to the next group which was led by Toyota's Ralf Schumacher in ninth. The rest of the leading midfield group was made up of Japanese-powered Rubens Barrichello, Jarno Trulli and Britain's other young hope Anthony Davidson. Renault's Heikki Kovalainen and Giancarlo Fisichella were languishing in 13th and 14th. 

Jenson Button will be hoping to do better than 15th as his home grand prix weekend unfolds and also disappointed will be Red Bull's Mark Webber and David Coulthard in 17th and 18th respectively. The Toro Rossos and Spykers tied up the backend of the timesheets.

Hamilton was quick out of the blocks in this morning's session, which took place under dry and cool conditions. Then it appeared that the two Ferraris would be the ones to beat, carrying on with their Magny-Cours pace, to go top. Hamilton initially split the pair of Raikkonen and Massa with a 1:21.529s with 30 minutes left of the session just before Massa improved with ease to re-instate Ferrari's stronghold at the top. However, Hamilton gave his fans, many of whom were seeing the 22-year-old in action for the first time, something to cheer about as he firmly put his McLaren back at the top with 15 minutes to go.

Although it failed to rain, the overcast and windy conditions gave the drivers a bit extra to think about around the faster corners. Several drivers went off without any damage though. Hamilton spun at the Abbey chicane whilst Alonso went on an excursion across Priory. Coulthard also went off at Priory, which ended his session 20 minutes prematurely.

more news

• 04 Dec.
  • Hakkinen: Hamilton could become the best ever
  • Jousse eyes F1 via F2
  • Kovalainen to test at Jerez next week
  • Former F1 drivers line half the grid in Speedcar Series
  • Hamilton looking forward to test team's new car
  • Toro Rosso invites Sato for another test
  • Pantano bemoans lack of F1 interest
• 03 Dec.
  • Alonso threatens to quit F1
  • Alonso talks up 2009 chances
• 02 Dec.
  • An interview with Kazuki Nakajima
  • McLaren to present 2009 contender January 16th
  • Hockenheim hanging in the balance
  • BMW tempering 2009 title talk
• 01 Dec.
  • Renault thrills 100,000 fans on the streets of Sao Paulo
  • Briatore targets championship title in 2009
  • 'Grosjean not ready for F1 yet'
  • Nicolas Prost eyes F1 test after winning F3000 championship
  • Photos: Piquet demo at Sao Paulo
  • Photos: Desafio Internacional das Estrelas 2008
• 30 Nov.
  • Barrichello wins Massa kart race
  • Di Resta happy to start in midfield team
• 29 Nov.
  • Fisichella insists seat is safe
  • Middle East circuits to work together
• 28 Nov.
  • Photos: Construction at Abu Dhabi
  • Tiago Monteiro confirms the acquisition of GP2 team
  • Button says Honda wins possible in 2009
• 27 Nov.
  • BMW set for Valencia launch
  • Donington Grand Prix: No cars please!
  • Webber expects to test in February
  • Opportunity to race with Michael Schumacher?
  • Hartley stands in for Webber
  • Italian F3 drivers enjoy F1 debut at Ferrari
  • Photos: Wednesday in Fiorano
  • Jordan blasts medal plans
• 26 Nov.
  • Ecclestone aiming for medals in 2009
  • LG signs as F1 global sponsor
  • Sir Frank Williams endorses karting for the disabled
  • Toyota to unveil TF109 15 January
  • Santander to switch from McLaren to Ferrari
  • Montoya 'has turned down F1 offers'

Homepage