Formula one: Hamilton outstrips Alonso in Singapore practice
Lewis Hamilton gained first advantage for this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix on Friday when he topped the times for Mercedes at the end of the second free practice.
In a session interrupted by a red flag stoppage after Lotus’ Pastor Maldonado crashed into the barriers, Hamilton was comfortably the fastest driver with a clear advantage ahead of , ahead of Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, with teammate and championship leader Nico Rosberg down at 13th.
Rosberg’s session was damaged when he had to abort his fastest laps following Maldonado’s spectacular mid-session accident, where the Venezuelan destroyed the right front end of his car.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull was the third fastest, ahead of Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari. The Italian team are enjoying an improvement in form after a desultory weekend at Monza two weeks ago.
Defending four-time champion Sebastian Vettel wound up fifth fastest in the second Red Bull after only joining the fray with 12 minutes remaining following an engine failure at the end of his morning free session.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2014.