Hamilton sets the pace in Silverstone practice

Lewis Hamilton emerged as the man to beat after topping the times in practice for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The reigning world champion was fastest in both 90 minute sessions at the Northamptonshire circuit as Mercedes once again asserted their authority over the field.

Hamilton’s personal best 1:31.654s arrived in opening practice which proved to be just 0.033s quicker than team-mate Nico Rosberg.

The time, set on medium compound rubber, proved to be 0.6s faster than his pole position lap from last year.

Rosberg’s Practice 1 effort earned him second overall despite being sidelined from Practice 2 after his Mercedes suffered a water leak.

Daniel Ricciardo proved to be the best of the rest with the Australian posting the third fastest time.

The Red Bull Racing driver was just 0.4s adrift of Hamilton.

It proved to be a strong day for the Milton Keynes outfit with Max Verstappen fourth quickest following a strong run in second practice.

Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg continued his impressive pace by posting a lap in first practice good enough for fifth overall.

Ferrari struggled for outright speed with Sebastian Vettel and newly re-signed Kimi Raikkonen a second slower than Hamilton in sixth and seventh respectively.

Vettel spent the early running of the first session testing the latest version of the Halo head protection system.

McLaren’s Fernando Alonso was eighth ahead of Force India’s Sergio Perez, while Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz completed the top 10.

Result: Formula 1 British Grand Prix Practice 1 

Result: Formula 1 British Grand Prix Practice 2