Lewis looks for more as team-mate sets GB pace
HOME favourite Lewis Hamilton was beaten to top spot by his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas in the opening two practice sessions for the British Grand Prix.
Hamilton, the 32-year-old Briton who is bidding for a record-equalling fifth victory on home soil, has seen his preparations this week overshadowed by his no-show at a Formula One promotional event in London on Wednesday night.
And it was Finn Bottas, the 27-year-old fresh from his second victory of the campaign in Austria last weekend, who led the way at an overcast Silverstone.
Hamilton, however, failed to post his best time in the afternoon session on the supersoft tyre – the quickest of the Pirelli compounds available this weekend – after he ran off the track through the super-quick Becketts section. He was still just 0.047 seconds slower than Bottas.
It will provide the triple world champion with enough confidence that he can get the better of his inform team-mate in what could prove to be a pivotal qualifying session today.
Hamilton won from pole here in 2015, and again last year, and now the Englishman could do with another dominant victory as he bids to trim the 20-point margin to rival Sebastian Vettel at the summit of the championship.
“Today’s been a really good start to the weekend and it’s great to be back here at Silverstone,” Hamilton said. “The track is absolutely incredible with these new cars. It was already one of the very best circuits in the world, but with this car and the speed we are able to carry through the corners, it’s just phenomenal, it’s like the greatest rollercoaster ride ever.
“We worked through all the sessions, fine-tuning the balance and I think we’re in a good position at this early stage of the weekend. We still need to build upon it, but it’s a great foundation moving forward.”
Hamilton, on an apparent charm offensive after his name was jeered in London, added: “Each time I left the garage I gave the fans a wave and I could see them waving back. I just want them to know that I can see them and I really appreciate all the love and support.”
Vettel, who has been so consistent this season, was only fourth here, four tenths of a second slower than the Mercedes pair. His Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen, who spun off the circuit during the second session, was also faster after he ended the day third in the order.
Aside from Hamilton’s bizarrelytimed two-day holiday with friends to the Greek islands – leading to him missing Formula One’s live parade through London – the other talking point this week has been the decision taken by the British Racing Drivers’ Club to trigger a release clause in its F1 contract after 2019.
Such a move means this year’s event could be one of the final grands prix to be staged at the Northamptonshire circuit unless a new deal with F1’s owners Liberty Media is agreed. As expected, the British fans were out in force yesterday, with 350,000 spectators expected over the weekend.