Hamilton on top in opening practice

Lewis Hamilton beat team-mate Nico Rosberg to the fastest time as Mercedes dominated British GP first practice.

Rosberg missed all of the second practice on Friday due to a water leak, while Hamilton clocked the fastest time and completed all the preparatory work for the team. Coming through Maggots and Becketts then down through Stowe, I was actually yelling in my helmet, it’s that exciting! It may not make any difference to the outcome of the British Grand Prix on Sunday but this was valuable time lost in the vehicle for the world championship leader.

A team spokesman said the auto needed more detailed checks which could not be completed during practice, forcing the German to sit out the session.

But the world championship leader is confident he can overcome the setback, as he aims to extend his 11-point title lead this weekend.

“The answer is yes – and I tell you why”, he told Sky Sports F1. “I want to battle Lewis out there and that still remains almost unchanged”. “It makes it a bit more hard, but I really felt good this morning in the vehicle so I’m not too anxious”. We have therefore strengthened our rules of engagement to include much greater deterrents to contact between our cars.

“I wasn’t far off anyway this morning in terms of balance so it will be fine”.

Rosberg spent FP2 following team-mate Lewis Hamilton’s data and radio traffic in the Mercedes garage, and he believes the team had a strong enough day overall that he can make up for lost time on Saturday.

Rosberg leads the standings with 153 points after nine races with Hamilton second on 142. “I have no doubt…this will be the partnership next year. You come to Silverstone and that’s when the energy is in abundance”, he said.

“I’m in very positive spirit and very optimistic spirit it’s not going to be needed”.