Hamilton downbeat on pole chances
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Red Bull's Mark Webber edged out Fernando Alonso and got his own back on world champion team-mate Sebastian Vettel by going quickest in the second practice session yesterday for the German Grand Prix.
The Australian, ordered not to overtake runaway championship leader Vettel late in the recent British Grand Prix, surged round the dry track here in a best lap of 1min 31.711sec to outshine the German home favourite.
Ferrari's Alonso, who won at Silverstone, had topped the timesheets in the first practice (1:31.894) and was leading in the second session before finding the gravel and later skidding when trying to overtake.
Vettel was third fastest with Alonso's team-mate Felipe Massa fourth and seven-times champion Michael Schumacher fifth to the delight of the Mercedes fans in the stands.
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton was over a second slower than the quickest driver for the second straight session with team-mate Jenson Button even worse after technical issues.
Afterwards, Hamilton (above) ruled out pole position for McLaren this weekend and the 2008 world champion was also fined ¤1,200 (£1,060) for speeding in the pitlane. "We definitely can't challenge for pole. Having said that we don't know what fuel [load] they [rivals] are on," he said.
"I think our race pace is perhaps closer than we had in the last race [at Silverstone] which is a good thing but over a single lap, they have definitely got about a second on us. We are pushing as hard as we can, the car's feeling pretty good." While Hamilton was seventh quickest in the second session, Button could only manage the 11th best time with the pair now realising that any hope of a title tilt this year is all but over.
With 10 races remaining, both McLaren drivers are 95 points adrift of Red Bull's world champion Sebastian Vettel. "It was one to forget, it's been a pretty tricky day," said Hamilton, fearing rain for today's qualifying and possibly tomorrow's race. "All afternoon I haven't had KERS. I had a problem with the exhaust but it's a test part on the car and it failed."
The Britons had expected to be quicker this weekend than in their home Grand Prix after teams reverted to pre-Silverstone engine regulations after a row over the aerodynamic use of exhaust gases.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments