Hamilton sets up perfect German weekend

Updated on: 11 July,2009 08:25 AM IST |
AFP |

Defending champion tops in German GP's free practice session

Defending champion tops in German GP's free practice session

Time to remember: McLaren's Lewis Hamilton clocked the fastest time in yesterday's second free practice session ahead of Sunday's German Grand Prix yesterday. Pic/AFP

Hamilton clocked a best time of one minute and 32.149 seconds with six minutes of the 90 remaining to ease clear of nearest rival German Sebastian Vettel, in his Red Bull, by two-tenths of a second.

Championship leader Briton Jenson Button was third for Brawn GP ahead of Australian Mark Webber, in the second Red Bull, with Italian Jarno Trulli fifth for Toyota and German Adrian Sutil sixth for Force India.

Button's Brawn teammate Brazilian veteran Rubens Barrichello was seventh ahead of two-time champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Renault.

The two Ferraris of Brazilian Felipe Massa and Finn Kimi Raikkonen were 12th and 16th, unable to match the pace-setters on a dismal day for them and many of the spectators as the weather took its toll in the Eiffel mountains.

The afternoon session was punctuated by rainfall and the conditions were more favourable to the Red Bulls than Brawn as the track temperature crept slowly up from 16 degrees Celsius in the morning to 24 in the afternoon.

After early drizzle, Kovalainen took the top spot for McLaren Mercedes a rare occurrence this season - before Webber took command for Red Bull.

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