Formula 1

Hamilton Fastest Again In Final Practice

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Lewis Hamilton completed a clean sweep of practice sessions ahead of this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.

Team mate Nico Rosberg was second once more, with the two evenly matched. This time Hamilton had a mere 0.115 of a second advantage over his German team mate, with both Mercedes drivers still in a class of their own. The qualifying battle between the pair for pole position is expected to be very closely matched.

Force India and Williams look to have emerged as best of the rest after a strong showing in final practice. Sergio Perez posted the third fastest time, half a second adrift of Hamilton. Team mate Hulkenberg made a mistake on his best lap and could only post the eighth fastest time.

Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas left it late in the session to end up fourth fastest, seven tenths off the pace. The second Williams of Felipe Massa was fifth, but could not match his team mate’s time and was over a second behind Hamilton.

Jenson Button was the only McLaren in the top ten in sixth, ahead of Fernando Alonso. Daniil Kvyat continued to show Toro Rosso’s strong form in ninth, with Kimi Raikkonen rounding out the top ten.

It was a difficult session for both Red Bulls. Daniel Ricciardo, who has a ten place grid penalty, was outside the top ten in thirteenth. It was even worse for his team mate, however. Reigning champion Sebastian Vettel spun into one of the rare Sakhir circuit gravel traps before attempting a qualifying simulation.

He therefore ended the hour long session down in twenty first place, only ahead of Marussia’s Max Chilton.

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