Hamilton leads F1 practice

2008-08-01 16:04

Budapest - McLaren's Lewis Hamilton continued a string of dominating performances by leading Friday's practice sessions for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Formula One championship leader, who is coming off victories at the British and German GPs, led the 20-car field with a best lap time of 1 minute, 20.554 seconds across two 90-minute sessions on the 4.381km Hungaroring track.

Renault's Nelson Piquet jun followed his first podium at Hockenheim with the day's second fastest lap of 1:20.748 before skidding off the track to end his day.

Hamilton's teammate Heikki Kovalainen, who announced on Friday that he would remain at the British team next season, was about two-tenths of a second behind Hamilton in third, ahead of two-time world champion Fernando Alonso of Renault.

Raikkonen sixth fastest

Ferrari continued its recent struggles, with Felipe Massa and defending world champion Kimi Raikkonen nearly half a second slower than Hamilton in the afternoon.

Massa clocked the day's fifth quickest lap of 1:20.981, while Raikkonen failed to get below the 1:21.00 mark to sit sixth.

Hamilton leads Massa by four points and Raikkonen by seven in the drivers' standings. BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica, who managed a best time of 1:21.363, is 10 points behind Hamilton.

Practice wraps up on Saturday morning before a qualifying session to determine the starting order for Sunday's race.

- AP