LEWIS Hamilton secured first advantage at this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix yesterday when he topped the times for Mercedes at the end of second free practice ahead of Fernando Alonso of Ferrari.
In a session interrupted by a red flag stoppage after Pastor Maldonado crashed into the barriers in his Lotus, Hamilton was comfortably the fastest driver with a clear advantage ahead of the two-time champion Spaniard and with team-mate and championship leader Nico Rosberg down in 13th.
Rosberg’s session was damaged when he had to abort his fastest laps following Maldonado’s spectacular mid-session accident at the exit of Turn 10, where the Venezuelan destroyed the right front end of his car.
Rosberg leads Hamilton by 22 points in the world championship with six races remaining.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo was third fastest in the leading Red Bull ahead of Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari, the Italian team enjoying a fillip 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.
Kevin Magnussen was sixth ahead of his more senior McLaren team-mate Jenson Button with Sergio Perez and his Force India teammate Nico Hulkenberg.
Russian Daniil Kvyat was 10th for Toro Rosso.
Two weekends after their fine showing at the Italian Grand Prix the Williams men of Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas were down in 17th and 18th, but running with heavy fuel loads.
Earlier in the day, Alonso ended Mercedes domination of opening practice when he topped the times for Ferrari — the first time in seven races that any car other than a Mercedes had lapped quickest in the first action of the day. AFP