Hamilton quickest in dramatic F1 practice sessions of Chinese Grand Prix

McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton was the quickest after two practice sessions of the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Hamilton set his session-best time of one minute 35.217 seconds, and was followed by Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg (one minute 35.465 seconds) and fellow team-mate Jenson Button (one minute 35.593 seconds).  

The former world champion, who won the Chinese Grand Prix on his way to the 2008 title, said he was delighted with his car after the mess he endured in Australia and Malaysia.

“The car is running nice and smoothly, the engine is pulling great and the balance is good as always. Every track I go to it always feels fantastic compared to the last time as the car is night and day better than last year,” The Bangkok Post quoted Hamilton, as saying.

“It’s great to have a car underneath me that I can push in certain corners round here - it's reminiscent of 2008 and hopefully it’ll enable us to be competitive.”

“The second session was even better. We made some changes to the car and the long runs seemed very positive. We don’t know what everyone is doing and I’m sure tomorrow will be a very competitive qualifying session,” he added.

Earlier, Button had topped the opening practice session after setting his session-best time of one minute 36.677 seconds, which was 0.071secs quicker than second placed Rosberg.

Hamilton had finished third, followed by seven-time champion Michael Schumacher at fourth, and Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel at fifth.