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October 15, 2011

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Hamilton fastest in practice for Korean F1 race

MCLAREN driver Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in practice yesterday for tomorrow's Formula One Korean Grand Prix, though wet conditions meant little could be read into the performance.

The Briton clocked a lap of 1 minute, 50.828 seconds and was 0.104 seconds faster than teammate Jenson Button on a track that was dampened by steady rain. Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, who clinched his second straight drivers championship at last weekend's Japanese GP, was third fastest but almost two seconds off Hamilton's best.

"Today's not a particularly important day," Hamilton said. "It was miserable today but I heard it was going to be better tomorrow so we'll get a better feel for the car then."

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, who won at Yeongam last year at the inaugural Korean GP, was fourth followed by Red Bull's Mark Webber.

The rain was heavier in the morning session and eased during the afternoon practice but drivers were unable to test their dry tires.

Mercedes' Michael Schumacher, who had the fastest time in the rain-drenched morning practice, dropped down to 14th place.

Toro Rosso's Jaime Alguersuari was sixth followed by Ferrari's Felipe Massa. Mercedes' Nico Rosberg was eighth ahead of Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi with Force India's Paul di Resta finishing in 10th.

Hamilton is hoping to change his luck in tomorrow's race. In the five races since winning the German GP in July, the 2008 world champion has gone without a top-three finish and is coming off back-to-back fifth-place finishes in Singapore and Japan, both of which involved crashes with Massa.

 

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