Hamilton set to roar into F1’s 200 club

An impressive Lewis Hamilton lay down the title gauntlet to Sebastian Vettel after soaring to the top of the time sheets in second practice for the Belgian Grand Prix yesterday.

Hamilton, who will take part in his 200th race tomorrow as Formula One returns to action following its summer hiatus, finished 0.262 seconds clear of Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, while Vettel was only fifth.

The fast-sweeping nature of this famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit is expected to suit Hamilton’s Mercedes team, and on the evidence of practice, the Briton will be in prime position to get his stuttering championship assault back on track.

Hamilton, also bidding to match Michael Schumacher’s all-time pole record of 68 in qualifying today, was fastest in second practice, and probably would have been quickest in the opening session, too, had he bolted on a set of the speedy ultrasoft Pirelli tyres.

But the 32-year-old Briton will nevertheless be pleased with his form as he seeks to overturn a 14-point deficit to Vettel with nine rounds of this see-saw championship remaining.

Vettel was nearly half-a-second adrift of Hamilton in second practice with Valtteri Bottas third, and the Red Bull of Max Verstappen fourth.

Britain’s Jolyon Palmer, who scaled Mount Kilimanjaro during the summer break, is bidding to get his grand prix career back on track.

Palmer is one of only two drivers yet to score a point this term, but the Englishman will be heartened by his lap which was good enough for 10th place before the rain struck.

Alonso finished 11th for McLaren, two places ahead of his team-mate and home favourite Stoffel Vandoorne.

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa, who missed the last round in Hungary through illness, failed to complete a single lap after he crashed out of the morning session.

Lewis Hamilton during practice yesterday for the Belgian GP.