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Hamilton dominates both of Friday's practice sessions

Hamilton dominates both of Friday's practice sessions

22-06-2018 16:45
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Bobby Vincent

Lewis Hamilton dominated both of Friday's practice sessions as he recorded a 1:32.539 in the later session.

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton carried on his earlier impressive driving with leading the second practice session.

Hamilton dominated both practice sessions and looks sure to impress in qualifying tomorrow.

The Mercedes driver is under pressure to achieve a good result this weekend following a disappointing fifth placed finish last time out in Canada.

Hamilton’s team mate, Valtteri Bottas dropped out towards the end of the session after a suspected water leak meant that Mercedes’ in-form man couldn’t continue.

It’s a shame for Bottas, who has been driving well recently, but Mercedes had no choice other than to bring him back in.

Mercedes were running with a new engine spec after a delay meant they could only use it this weekend.

There was speculation yesterday that the engine would be delayed even more as they were uncertain if it was ready for this weekend.

Daniel Ricciardo threatened Hamilton for all of the second session but was unable to record a faster time than the Engilshman.

Force India’s Sergio Perez was involved in a strange situation, when his tyre fell off when he was going at some speed.

The tyre very dangerously rolled off very quickly in front of his car and a red flag was shown and the race was suspended.

Perez looked ready to go back on if called upon with just five minutes to go, but the car wasn’t safe enough to resume.

Sebastian Vettel was hovering round top five all race but couldn’t get in his stride, and ended up finishing fifth.

The top five stayed around the same all race and this is how the race ended:

1. Hamilton - 1:32.539

2. Ricciardo

3. Verstappen

4. Raikkonen

5. Vettel

6. Grosjean

7. Bottas

8. Alonso

9. Magnussen

10. Gasly

11. Hulkenberg

12. Sainz Jr.

13. Vandoorne

14. Leclerc

15. Hartley

16. Ocon

17. Stroll

18. Sirotkin

19. Perez

20. Ericsson